Kenny Thompson believes he could be the man to guide Bermuda out of the soccer wilderness.

The national under-17 coach confirmed yesterday that he would apply for the vacant post of technical director, expected to be advertised by Bermuda Football Association later this year.

"The only other area (outside the youth level) I'm interested in is that of Technical Director,'' said Thompson, who has also submitted his name for consideration for the recently advertised post of national youth staff coach.

"Because that means that I can be in a position of leading and motivating people across the country to prepare themselves optimally ... to guide the clubs in a programme of development so that we improves across the country.'' Bermuda's former West Ham star Clyde Best was the last to occupy the role, relinquishing the position last April following Bermuda's ouster from the World Cup.

Thompson currently operates in a similar role to that of a technical director -- albeit on a smaller role -- at North Village, where he is the director of soccer, encompassing both youth and senior levels.

It has been something of a training ground for Thompson, and early returns show him to have been a resounding success in the role.

Village are largely regarded as having the best overall programme on the Island, which is reflected by the fact that all of their teams stand among the leaders in each division, the senior team having held the top spot in the Premier Division for much of the season.

"I feel that what is being done at North Village is fantastic,'' said Thompson. "I can't take all the credit, because this is a club that has taken on the responsibility of supporting the overall development of its players, and is doing everything it can to create good people, as well as footballers.'' Thompson did admit to having considered a senior role at the national level, but ultimately decided against it.

"I gave it some thought, but my focus at the moment is clearly on the youth,'' he said, "but that is not to say that I am not interested in senior football.

"With some thought, I came to the conclusion that it would be irresponsible to leave the area that I am at now to be (senior) national coach.'' Thompson said the best way to improve the local standard was to place great emphasis on the younger players coming through, which would enhance Bermuda's prospects down the line.

"There's always great debate about the level of our football and the reality is that the standard is generally quite poor,'' he said, before departing to put his youth squad through their paces in preparation for the Under-17 World Cup qualifying tournament later this month. "So, then you ask how to raise the standard, and you don't raise it by concentrating on senior football.

"That is not to say that you totally ignore senior football, because we must keep it going, and continue to enter tournaments such as the Copa Caribe and others.

"However, we must as well do the groundwork so that in 10 to 15 years' time the level is not still poor, but of a high quality. We need to support the senior programme and give motivation to the players, but there must be major emphasis on the youth level.'' Kenny Thompson: Hoping that his success with Bermuda's national youth team and league pacesetters North Village will put him in line for the vacant post of technical director.