Cup campaign, all is not well within Bermuda Football Association.

In fact, having read yesterday's Royal Gazette exclusive which revealed that a `big name' consultant was being hunted to replace current technical director Clyde Best, some might question the BFA's wisdom.

There's no doubt that their decision shortly before Christmas not to renew Best's contract when it expires next Friday night, has backfired badly -- regardless of whether it was the right decision or not.

But nobody within the BFA seems to have a clue what to do. And if they do, they certainly aren't letting on to the public -- in case they've forgotten, those folk whose support could make or break this cup campaign.

In fact, the BFA haven't even revealed why they made that decision in the first place.

Like so many organisations in Bermuda, they continually shoot themselves in the foot through lack of communication. A press statement, a press conference or even some honest dialogue with the media when this story first surfaced would likely have cleared up many misconceptions.

So when a leaked document from the BFA's own coaching committee appears in this newspaper, they really have no-one to blame but themselves.

Best himself says he's been left in the dark as much as anyone else.

With a massive 14-1 aggregate win over BVI under their belts, Bermuda's national team players and their coaches should be riding the crest of a wave as they prepare for the next qualifying hurdle against Antigua in just over two weeks' time.

Instead, their preparations are being hindered by a cloud of uncertainty.

What exactly will happen when Best's contract expires on March 31? Will he be asked to pack his bags and vacate the BFA office? Will he be re-hired in a similar capacity as technical director until the World Cup and Olympic qualifying campaigns are over? Or will he be offered an entirely new role and asked to work under a new director as-yet to be appointed? It's been alleged within BFA circles that this newspaper is part of a carefully engineered "pro-Best, anti-BFA'' crusade.

Nothing could be further from the truth. But like the rest of the public, we are concerned over the lack of information forthcoming since the decision was made to terminate Best's contract.

We have been left to speculate and gather what information we can from various unnamed sources -- people closely involved with the game but unwilling to go on record for fear of reprisals.

Those sources tell us that the BFA want rid of Best because he has not fulfilled his role as technical director. His success with the national teams has not been matched by a successful development programme at grass roots level and within the schools.

Those same sources point out that Robert Calderon is national coach and that it is he who should take credit for the results achieved during Best's tenure.

That may or may not be true. But as the man at the top of totem pole -- and presumably the technical director is considered just that -- Best has to be held responsible for those coaches under his command, and therefore accountable for national team performances.

Granted, British Virgin Islands were possibly the weakest opposition Bermuda could have faced at this stage of the World Cup, and little of significance can be read into the final result.

But if Best is in charge of the overall development of soccer, then it could be argued that nothing will help develop the game more than a successful World Cup run. And as he has spent the last three years preparing for this campaign, the very least the BFA could do is give him the opportunity to take that campaign to its conclusion.

But as reported in The Gazette yesterday, a leaked BFA coaching committee document indicates the Association are considering hiring a `big name' consultant from Europe "to kick start'' the local soccer programme.

Asked about that document -- minutes from a coaching committee meeting -- president Neville Tyrrell said he hadn't seen it and couldn't comment. Rather odd, one might think, that the BFA's top administrator wouldn't be kept abreast of such a significant proposal.

He then made the strangest of statements: "We are always in contact with football associations about coaching places. That is something we are always doing.'' Really? That might not be perceived as a vote of confidence by those on the current coaching staff who have worked so hard during the pre-World Cup build-up.

Quite simply, the BFA need to resolve this problem immediately.

The farce now being acted out is about to provide entertainment for football followers around the world.

Attending last Sunday's World Cup second leg qualifier was a reporter from London's Evening Standard -- the city's largest-selling newspaper. As Best is still fondly remembered in London from his days at West Ham, and in some circles, still revered, the newspaper thought an article on his role as coach of one of the World Cup minnows would be well received by their readers.

The idea was to present a colourful piece on Best, documenting his career path since he hung up his boots over 20 years ago.

Instead the reporter stumbled over a story which he could hardly believe.

"It's the strangest thing,'' he remarked. "For all the records broken during Bermuda's first round victory, Best will probably be remembered for one thing -- the man who was fired after his team won 14-1. I think that's something our readers will find rather interesting.'' -- ADRIAN ROBSON