And yesterday, before addressing the Hamilton Rotarians under the theme of his speech "Teaching football for two decades in football developing countries of Europe, Asia and Africa'', Ziese signed a new, revised contract with his employers.

After the speech Ziese would only say that it was a revised contract and "that both parties made certain amendments on my request.'' He admitted that the length of the contract had not changed and that he intended to see out his three-year commitment. "The principle things have not changed at all,'' said Ziese. "I have never broken a contract, that's not my way of doing things.'' And while he declined to elaborate on some apparent problems, Ziese did admit to a live audience that things have not gone smoothly during his first three months in the post.

"I had numerous discussions with my friends from the association because I personally must say I wasn't the most happiest man with how things were done on the Island. I think we've ironed out everything by today, and I'm saying this to you people because I know you people have a lot of influence on the Island.

"You can now transfer what I've tried to say because if you want to improve football on the Island, if you want to reach for the stars, which you tried to do 15 months ago when you played in the World Cup qualifying rounds, then you must also admit that sometimes changes are necessary.

"We are no more in 1950 and 1970, and not even in 1980. We are going to (the year) 2000.'' A FIFA instructor since 1987, German-born Ziese's credentials are impressive, having coached in roughly 21 developing countries in Europe, Asia and Africa in the almost 20 years since he obtained his "football-teacher'' licence from the German Football Association in 1974-75.

Ziese is a holder of the Sports Management Licence of the German FA and his coaching assignments have included stints in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 1975-76, national coach and technical advisor of the Football Association of Sudan from 1978-81, national youth coach and technical advisor of the Football Association of Singapore from '81-83 and manager/coach of Eastern AA in Hong Kong from '83-84.

From there Ziese moved on to the post of national coach of the FA in Thailand -- a country of culture which his wife of 30 years loved -- in '85-86 before taking a similar post with the Football Association of Pakistan between 1987-90.

From there Ziese went to Ghana as national coach between 1990-91, describing the Ghana national team as "probably the most successful team I had.

"You never have any problems when working with professionals. Ghana was a very good time for me.'' During his time in Ghana, Ziese compiled an 11 win, two draw record during his 13 matches in charge of their national team.

Ziese served short coaching assignments between 1985 and '87 in Nepal, Pakistan and Gambia, becoming a FIFA instructor in 1987 with his last assignment being in Bagdad, Iraq.

Prior to yesterday's luncheon, Ziese said he was urged to talk about his experiences on his travels. "My experience I will talk about but also in regard of teaching because a trainer, a coach is something totally different than a teacher,'' he told the audience.

"And I have problems with this one on the Island, not personally with me but some others don't understand this. I personally believe if we want to improve the football standard on the Island, to make the Bermudians happy in this field, you have to have proper coaches.

"You have to have proper football educated teachers in the schools, you have to have proper instructors, you have to have very good national coaches and we have a lack of this on the Island.

"So when I introduced a plan that (things) should be done, as we have done it world-wide, there was more or less an uproar in the country. They said `who is he to tell us?' "Then I said `oh, I'm sorry, if I said something wrong, if you don't want to develop that's fine with me.' But then I have to consider myself whether I can work with you people. Then they say `hey, what is he talking about, he's a strange person. He tells us what we don't want to hear -- and we want to improve. We want to continue as we have continued for the last 30 years.' '' Ziese said that if Bermuda wants to qualify for the World Under 17 Tournament at the end of the year then he needs support from the BFA. "I can't do it, I just have the ideas. The execution must be done through the Bermudians, from the players, the teachers through to the parents and the administrators in the association.'' Ziese said despite the problems he has enjoyed his time on the Island. "Life is a learning process,'' he said. "When I left the office (today) I also found out that life is a learning process for myself.'' The learning process for the German began 32 years ago when, at the age of 18, he went to England to study. Before long he was signed for English Third Division club Bournemouth where he stayed for a very short time.

There were also spells in France and Belgium for the centre forward before he turned to coaching in 1970 when he got his `B' licence in 1970 from the German FA to be followed by the `A' licence two years later.

NOT HAPPY -- Burkhard Ziese, shown here addressing Hamilton Rotarians yesterday, admitted that things have not gone smoothly during his first three months with the BFA. "I wasn't the happiest man with how things were done on the Island.''