LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Jamaica Football Federation president Captain Horace Burrell (left) and John Barnes, who will take control of the Reggae Boyz on November 1. - Rudolph Brown

With all the facets needing to combine perfectly for the Reggae Boyz as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers, John Barnes said humility is a key component for team cohesion, particularly by celebrated players.

"It is very natural for the Marlon Kings and Ricardo Fullers to get more praise, but as long as they don't see themselves in that light, as long as they see themselves with the same humility as the other players, then that togetherness can bring them a long way," said Barnes. "The only way we are going to win is if we win things together."

Mutual respect

In his first address to the media since being named Jamaica's national coach, Barnes said as a former star player he understands the importance of mutual respect.

"When I played at Liverpool you might have looked at myself and Peter Beardsley and try to separate players and say we were the superstars," said Barnes at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel yesterday. "That was the case looking from the outside in. Inside, we had as much respect for all the other players and we didn't consider ourselves to be superior than all the other players."

Chance meet

Barnes had a chance meet all the players yesterday shortly after arriving in Jamaica for the two World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Honduras tomorrow and Wednesday, respectively. Barnes pledged his confidence in interim coach Theodore Whitmore and the team as they face two must-win games.

"I have complete faith in Theodore. I worked with him before and I see how the players respond to him," said Barnes.

"I know many of these players better than most people and I have complete faith in them. It's amazing the standard of quality that we have sitting here. It's not about me, it's about us working together as a team, and I have no doubt we will put on a fantastic performance and be competitive."

Barnes, a former England and Liverpool player after migrating to England as a youth, begins his one-year term on November 1. He was on the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) shortlist late last year when it was coach-hunting following the sacking of Bora Milutinovic. However, Brazilian Rene Simoes was selected. Simoes was subsequently fired on September 10.

Barnes said he was so eager for a second chance at the job, he committed to it half asleep at 2:00 in the morning.

"Captain Burrell called me up at 2 o'clock in the morning - there was no contract, no mention of money. But I gave him an answer there and then. That's how much I wanted to come," Barnes said of his conversation with JFF president Captain Horace Burrell.

Barnes added that contractual arrangements with a media house for which he works prevented him from joining the team earlier and preparing them for the two upcoming games.

Captain Burrell said the JFF invited Barnes to attend the games as part of his preparation for coaching the side.

"We thought it sensible to invite John to the next two games as a mere spectator, to see what exactly he is going to be dealing with," said Burrell.

John Barnes (left), Jamaica Football Federation president Captain Horace Burrell (centre) and Theodore Whitmore at a press conference yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew. Barnes was formally introduced as Jamaica's next football coach while Whitmore will serve as coach in the interim. Barnes will take charge of the team on November 1 - Rudolph Brown