Carl Spence, Gleaner Writer

Waterhouse's new national Premier League coach Danilo Barriga (centre) is sandwiched by club president Peter Hibbert (left) and chairman Bruce Bicknell as the men share a laugh during the official announcement of Barriga's appointment at a press briefing at the club on Monday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

THE EXECUTIVE arm of Waterhouse Football Club saw its SOS cries for the club's restructuring answered when it signed a deal with Peru-based Danilo Barriga as the club's new Premier League team manager and overseer of all the club's other teams.

The 2005/06 NPL champions found themselves in need of a senior coach shortly before the end of last season when Anthony Patrick handed in his resignation as the team struggled to finish fourth in the table.

"Last year the season ended with our coach resigning and we continued with what we had in the programme," Waterhouse president Peter Hibbert said at the manager's announcement on Monday.

"So, going into the new season, the executive met and we deliberated for a couple of months. We were trying to find somebody who would fit the objectives of the club and right now Mr. Barriga is in line with what and where we want to be," he said.

Hibbert admitted that the club was looking to strengthen its weakness in the management department and noted that Barriga's administrative experience would be useful in the development of the club.

"We, as an executive, lack certain things in management because of the broad area we have to cover and one of the things that came out in our interview with Mr. Barriga is his ability and his experience in administration and we are looking for him to work in the entirety of the club - meaning at all levels," Hibbert said.

Mistakes

"We lost the title last year from the boardroom which I believe is a lack of preparation on the part of the executive. So we have found out our mistakes and it is mostly organisation we are looking for. Barriga, I think, is the man who can bring that on board," he added.

Barriga's responsibilities include managing the performance of the club's premiership team, as well as giving training to the other coaches associated with the club.

The former Seba United and Reno coach noted that many Jamaican players were lacking discipline when it came to the sport and uttered the words of change where it concerns the Waterhouse team.

"Right now it's new life in Waterhouse because no more bad players, no more amateur players but professional players, and if you are not going to be a professional you are not coming to Waterhouse," the new coach said.

"By professional I mean respecting Waterhouse, discipline, attitude, one life and living together as one team," he said.

The change will be tested on July 25 when the senior team journeys to New York to play Brooklyn Nights in two friendly games as part of its preparations for the upcoming season.