Shaun Goater has declared his desire to become the head coach of Bermuda Hogges in the United Soccer Leagues' (USL) Professional Development League (PDL) next season.

Goater was impressed with Bermuda Under-23s performances against Trinidad Under-23s and now wants to lead the same group of players in the PDL – the top amateur league in the United States.

The former Manchester City striker's long-term ambition is to return to England as a club coach and he believes he can gain valuable experience by taking charge of the Hogges, a franchise he co-founded in 2006.

But first it is likely he would have to be willing to join Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) National Academy backroom staff as the BFA now have full control over the coaching and team selection of the Hogges.

"We are still having discussions . . . but my preference is to be (Hogges) coach. I want to go as far in coaching as I can but need to educate myself and learn more about the role," Goater said. "Dialogue still needs take place before the right decision for the club is made.

"Moving back to England to coach is my aim – we all have goals.

"That is more than a few years away though and what I do locally is all-important. I need to prove things to myself more than to anyone else. What I do know is football, I know the game."

Last month the Hogges announced they had quit the USL-D2 after three seasons to join the PDL as part of an joint agreement with the BFA, who want to use the club as a vehicle to prepare their Under-23 players for upcoming tournaments like the CAC Games and Pan-Am qualifiers.

Scott Morton, the Under-23 national team coach, could also be a contender for the Hogges job, while ex-Coventry City forward Kyle Lightbourne has yet to confirm whether he wishes to continue the position he has performed for the last three seasons.

But Goater is the first to publicly express an interest in the post and is confident Bermuda's Under-23 players would be very successful in the PDL.

"I think they can do very well in that league, very well," he said. "I say that because I have been involved in the league (Premier Division) for a year now and I know there is a good core group players involved at the Under-23 level. They have ability and potential to do very well in the PDL.

"I thought they did well and showed some good movement off the ball against Trinidad in the second game.

"There were probably one or two players who did not play to their full potential which could have been the difference between us winning and drawing the game.

"What really impressed me was their ability to get physical when it was needed. That surprised me because it does not always come naturally to Bermudians to compete from a physical point view.

"Trinidad did not bully us and that was very pleasing to see."

The North Village coach also praised Rams defender Devrae Tankard for his promising display at left-back for the Under-23s.

"Devrae is an excellent player. He is very easy to coach as he has the enthusiasm and energy and listens to what you are saying," said Goater. "I think he has a bright future in football."

The PDL has 68 teams competing in four conferences, split into eight regional divisions, with the 16-match regular season running from May until July.

Hogges will play in the Eastern Conference's Mid Atlantic Division.