QPR and Charlton Athletic stars suffer international heartbreak as tearful ex Newcastle United boss quits

QPR and Charlton Athletic stars suffered international heartbreak with Jamaica on Tuesday night with their hopes of World Cup qualification handed a big blow.

The Reggae Boyz drew 0-0 with minnows Curaçao, the tiny Caribbean nation becoming the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup. Jamaica can still get there themselves through the intercontinental playoffs but that was not the route wanted by manager Steve McClaren.

The 64-year-old former Newcastle United manager had been looking to take Jamaica to the World Cup, 18 years after failing to make Euro 2008 with England. Just as he did all those years ago, after last night’s draw, McClaren stood down from his post.

QPR and Charlton Athletic stars suffer international heartbreak

QPR midfielder Isaac Hayden played the full 90 minutes against Curaçao and had become a key player under McClaren. The R’s man had been handed a full 90 minutes in five of the country’s last six matches.

The World Cup qualification blow also hit Charlton Athletic duo Karoy Anderson and Tyreece Campbell, who were unused substitutes on Tuesday. The former had come off the bench for McClaren in the previous five, with the latter starting three in a row across September and October before dropping to the bench.

McClaren was reportedly reduced to tears as his side missed out on qualification and confirmed his departure from the job after the match. He said: "Over the last 18 months I have given everything I have to this job. Leading this team has been one of the greatest honours of my career. But football is a results business and tonight we have fallen short of our goal, which was to qualify from this group.

Steve McClaren quits Jamaica post

"It is the responsibility of the leader to step forward, take accountability and make decisions in the best interests of the team. After deep reflection and an honest assessment of where we are and where we need to go, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Jamaican national team. Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is to recognise when a fresh voice, new energy and a different perspective is required to move this team forward."

Hayden, Anderson and Campbell can still get their country to the World Cup but must do so via a six-team mini tournament in Mexico. Jamaica will have to win two games as the tournament ends in a final against DR Congo or Iraq.

McClaren’s time at Jamaica was his first position in the dugout since leaving QPR in 2019. The manager lasted just a year at Loftus Road, winning 16 of his 46 matches. McClaren previously worked at Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough, as well as at Newcastle United in the 2015/16 season.

In other news, Charlton Athletic rival Derby County for 'quick and aggressive' Leeds United loan in January.