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With the goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts says Rudolph Speid was the perfect candidate for the role of technical adviser to the Reggae Boyz programme.

Ricketts announced on Sunday that Speid, the sporting director of Cavalier and chairman to the JFF technical committee, was appointed technical adviser to Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren.

The decision was made during a meeting by the JFF's board, which believes Speid's presence would prove beneficial to Jamaica's chances of a second senior men's football World Cup Finals berth.

"The board of directors took the decision that Speid, having done so well with Cavalier against our Caribbean neighbours, was the best person," Ricketts said.

"Since we do have all Caribbean teams to play in the final round [of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers], we thought to insert Speid as part of the technical staff (as it) would positively impact the process of going to the World Cup."

Speid's new role will see him joining McClaren's support staff and working alongside the management staff in improving the technical aspect of the national team.

Ricketts also explained Speid's appointment was made with the approval of McClaren, who has welcomed Speid's expertise about football in the Concacaf region.

"We believe that someone like Speid, who we know has the technical competence, was the right fit. Having discussed it with the coach, he was very comfortable with having Speid as part of his support staff."

Ricketts continued: "As I said, Speid is the best person for the role and the coach thinks so as well. So the coach is actually supportive of the role and is very excited in having Speid as his adviser."

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The JFF president also sought to dismiss public concerns regarding Speid's position creating a conflict of interest within the federation, saying his roles with Cavalier and the JFF will not be impeded by his new appointment.

He explained that the role of technical adviser is not a paid position, and, as such, is not considered a conflict by the JFF.

"It is not a concern because it is not a paid position," Ricketts said.

"It probably would be considered conflicting if he was a member of staff but he is not in a paid position so we don't think there is a conflict. Remember now, he will only be a part of the supportive staff."

Jamaica have been drawn in Group B of the final round of qualifiers alongside Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.

The winner of the group will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the top two-ranked group runners-up advancing to the inter-continental playoffs.

Jamaica will open their campaign against Bermuda in an away fixture on September 5, before closing out the group on November 18 at home to Curacao.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com