That 2014 run put Jordan on the global football map. In its aftermath, the Jordan Football Association (JFA) hired former England captain Ray Wilkins ahead of 2018 World Cup qualifying. Wilkins guided the side to the 2015 Asian Cup, but departed for the Aston Villa assistant manager role under Tim Sherwood before the project could mature.

Redknapp, rethink, and a new direction

What followed was a turbulent stretch — three managers in under a year — culminating in the appointment of Harry Redknapp for the final two matches of the second-round group stage. His last assignment was an away fixture against Australia, a winner-takes-all clash that Jordan lost 5-1. Redknapp's reign ended after just two games.

The era of chasing big English names — a strategy driven by then-JFA president Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein — gave way to a longer-term philosophy. Since Redknapp, Jordan have appointed seven managers, six from predominantly Arabic nations and two from Jordan itself.