Association technical director Clyde Best was last night believed to be pondering a new offer by soccer's governing body.

But, at press time, there was no word on what that offer entailed.

The BFA have made it clear that when Best's contract ends, he will not be given a new term as technical director, a post that, temporarily at least, will not be filled.

Instead the Association are believed to be discussing a role for the former West Ham star which would see him remain in charge of the national teams throughout the current World Cup and Olympic campaigns.

Bermuda's senior national team are due to face Antigua on April 16 and 23 in a two-leg, second round World Cup qualifying tie, while the Under-23 Olympic team will fly out this Sunday for matches next week in Panama against the host nation and Cuba.

BFA president Neville Tyrrell indicated yesterday that the ball was now in Best's court.

While declining to give any details about the negotiations, Tyrrell said "there was still a possibility'' that Best and the BFA would be able to reach an agreement.

Asked if he thought Best would still be an employee of the BFA after midnight on Friday when his $100,000 per annum three-year contract expires, Tyrrell replied: "Mr. Best could be attached in some shape or form with the BFA if he accepts the conditions that we are offering him.

"There are some conditions that will be tabled shortly.'' However, at 11.00 a.m. yesterday, Best had reportedly still not seen the BFA's offer, leaving him little time to analyse and consider his options.

There was no indication yesterday morning when the BFA were scheduled to meet Best or even how the "conditions'' would be relayed to him.

But Tyrrell revealed that no official talks about the Best contract had been held with Sports Minister Dennis Lister who last week voiced his concern about recent developments and noted his intention to meet with the BFA president when he returned from Trinidad and Tobago this week.

"No, I haven't had any formal talks with him about this matter in recent days,'' said Tyrrell.

But the president said he was well aware of the public outcry that the Best issue had sparked and noted it was unfortunate.

"I fully understand it. But I think it's been played out in some ways as a soap opera because a lot of the things that have been said have not been countered by the BFA for a very good reason ... it's not our aim to play it out in the newspaper.

"However, it seems that certain people are intent on having the matter discussed in public.

"I don't know of too many jobs in Bermuda that have been discussed as openly as this one. There are some personal things in play here and if it were me I don't think I would want to have my job discussed, or any discussions I have had with my employer raked all over the news .. . and this is something that the BFA have not encouraged.

"It's been encouraged by the media but certainly not by us.'' News of Best's predicament has also caused a stir in London, England, where the city's leading newspaper, The Evening Standard, ran a long feature this week on the former West Ham striker's trials and tribulations (see full story below).

Chief Sports Correspondent Ian Chadband, who wrote the article following a visit to Bermuda for the team's World Cup qualifying match against the British Virgin Islands, said yesterday he had received several calls since the story was published.

"There's an awful lot of people who still fondly remember Clyde from his West Ham days,'' said Chadband.

"It's a story we'd like to follow up on. I'll be calling the Bermuda FA to see what the latest developments are.'' Decision time: Clyde Best, whose contract as BFA technical director expires tomorrow, is now considering a new deal offered yesterday by football's governing body.