STEVE MCCLAREN is being lined up for a shock international management job, it’s understood.
However, the Manchester United first-team coach faces competition from another former Premier League boss.
McClaren is currently part of the backroom team at Old Trafford after re-joining the Red Devils in 2022.
He could be set to return to management himself, though, after being shortlisted for the vacant Jamaica job.
Alan Nixon reports that McClaren is wanted by the Reggae Boyz to replace Heimar Hallgrimsson.
The Icelandic coach left the role earlier this month and has since been appointed Republic of Ireland boss.
Steve Bruce is also in the running for the job, though, with the Daily Mail reporting he has held talks over taking charge.
It would be Bruce’s first international management role as well as a return to the dugout for the first time since leaving West Brom in October 2022.
Jamaica are currently 59th in the Fifa world rankings and are next in action in September.
The Reggae Boyz face Cuba and Honduras in a pair of Concacaf Nations League matches.
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McClaren has spent the last two years at United, first as an assistant to Erik ten Hag before becoming senior first-team coach this summer.
He did not jet off to the USA for the club’s pre-season tour, however, as he recovers from foot surgery.
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Instead, the 63-year-old has remained at Carrington to work with players returning late to training following Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
McClaren has international experience after previously managing England.
His tenure lasted just 15 months, though, as he was sacked following after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
He has been out of the dugout since April 2019, having spent 11 months in charge of Queens Park Rangers.
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