Argentine coach Alberto Roses believes he could make Bermuda a force in world soccer -- and has approached Bermuda Football Association to put himself forward for the job of technical director.

Roses' bold claim is based on his opinion that the Island's top players are blessed with high levels of natural ability and athleticism.

And the former AC Milan and River Plate striker should not be taken too lightly -- he was Cesar Luis Menotti's right-hand man when the chain-smoking coach guided host nation Argentina to a World Cup triumph in 1978.

Current technical director Clyde Best's three-year contract expires next month and the BFA have already announced that it will not be renewed.

Roses said he wanted the job and claimed he could make Bermuda one of the top sides in the Caribbean within three years.

"I saw Bermuda play in the Pan-Am Games a few years ago and then I coached some of their players for a few days three years ago and they have a lot of talent,'' said Roses while watching Bermuda play during their Florida tour.

"But they are trying to play the wrong way. They are like South American players and they should be playing the South American way, they should forget about playing English style. Bermuda have a lot of potential but they do not know how to use it. The Government of Bermuda needs to support them more.'' Roses said he had been interested in the technical director's job at the time when Best was appointed and added he had contacted the BFA recently and forwarded his resume.

"I spoke to (BFA general secretary) David Sabir two or three months ago and told him I was interested in working in Bermuda.

"If they give me three years, I am sure I can make Bermuda a strong team.'' Miami-based Roses is now effectively a coaching consultant and he advises clubs including Spanish giants Real Madrid, as well as his local Major League Soccer club Miami Fusion.

Roses, clearly no shrinking violet, claimed credit for Real Madrid's dramatic improvement in form over the past month and for a decision which was key to Argentina's 1978 World Cup win.

"I am an analyser,'' said Roses. "Clubs call me up and tell me what their problems are and I try to give them the solution. My ideas have worked well for Real -- they had to change the way they were playing.

"In 1978, Menotti was not sure whether to play Diego Maradona or Mario Kempes. I told him to play Kempes, because Maradona was only 16 and too young.

He did and we won the cup.'' Striker Kempes had a magnificent tournament, scored in the final against Holland and was one of the team's most influential players.

Sabir confirmed yesterday that Roses had been in touch with the BFA, but declined to comment further.

Big ideas: Argentine coach Alberto Roses has promised great things for Bermuda soccer if he gets the job of technical director.