A new head coach of Bermuda?s national soccer team will be announced within a week.

As had been widely predicted, Kenny Thompson will not be re-appointed to the post after his contract expired at the end of the World Cup campaign ? but Bermuda Football Association are remaining tight-lipped as to the name of a successor.

Sources close to the association have revealed that three candidates were interviewed ? all Bermudians ? and it is understood one individual has now been ear-marked for the role.

The BFA?s executive met on Wednesday but the expected announcement was not forthcoming as it is understood that discussions are ongoing with the chosen candidate.

Although no new man has been named, it is now clear that Thompson?s days at the helm of the national side are over.

The former player received many plaudits for the way he resurrected a dormant national squad in November last year and after a series of friendlies came within a whisker of victory over El Salvador in the second qualifying round of the World Cup.

But Thompson also had his detractors, with letters pages full of letters ? nearly always anonymous ? pouring scorn on his achievements during his tenure in Bermuda soccer?s top job.

The amiable and enthusiastic coach, currently away with the Under-20 side, will stay on, however, in his role as youth director. How happy he is about his axing from the top coaching job has not been made public, as he has consistently refused to comment on the situation, stating: ?It would not be appropriate.?

The BFA were granted an opportunity to delay the announcement of Thompson?s successor after Aruba withdrew from the Caribbean Cup qualifier against Bermuda which was due to take place sometime in August.

This means the new coach?s first task will be to prepare the players for the four-team group stage of the competition, scheduled to take place in either October or November in the Cayman Islands.