Schaefer could opt out

REPORTS emerging out of Germany suggest that Reggae Boyz coach Winfried Schaefer could opt out of his contract with the Jamaica Football Federation should Jamaica not qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

Jamaica advanced to the group stage of the competition following a 4-3 aggregate win over Nicaragua in August.

However, the successful German coach has warned that Jamaica must provide the right environment for the team to succeed.

The Gulf News is reporting that Schaefer has been offered jobs by Kuwait and Cairo, but the 65-year-old, who took Jamaica to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico in July, said he has no interest in leaving just yet.

"The get-out clause in my contract is well known," Schaefer is reported to have said. "Perhaps I will take Jamaica to the World Cup, but in order to do that, we must have a professional environment and work responsibly.

"If we don't qualify, we all know the nature of the business," he said.

Schaefer took control of the Reggae Boyz squad following the failed 2014 campaign led by former player turned national coach Theodore Whitmore. Since that time he took Jamaica to the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup title.

The Boyz also played above expectations as one of two invited teams to the 2015 Copa America losing 0-1 to former world number one Argentina. The lost by similar margins to two-time World Cup champions Uruguay and Paraguay.

After beating Nicaragua over two-legs in last month's CONCACAF qualifiers for the World Cup, Jamaica will face Panama, Haiti and Costa Rica in the fourth round in their bid to qualify for Russia 2018.

Jamaica host Panama in their opening Group B match in Kingston on November 13 and are bidding to reach the World Cup for only the second time in their history.