Kenny Thompson?s official reign as the national soccer coach has ended as abruptly as his side?s World Cup dreams.

Thompson was put in charge only on a temporary basis last November to steer Bermuda through their qualifying rounds and with his side knocked out of the competition by El Salvador nine days ago, Thompson?s time at the top is up.

Although his part-time contract has now expired, his position at the helm of the national side ? which he resurrected from a dormant state seven months ago into a side which came within a whisker of the World Cup semi-final qualifying stage ? may not definitely be over.

The post will now have to be advertised by Bermuda Football Association but with Thompson?s dedication to the cause, his relationship with the players and Caribbean Cup qualifiers less than two months away, it would take a brave decision to oust him with the national programme in full swing.

The at-times inspiring performances of the Bermuda side during a hectic schedule saw the Island team beat Nicaragua and Montserrat and stir the country up into a frenzy after a narrow first leg defeat in San Salvador in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers.

A sell-out crowd at the National Sports Centre then watched ten-man Bermuda cope without the injured Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne to battle bravely but in vain against the Central Americans, going out 4-3 on aggregate despite drawing the final game 2-2.

Thompson and his team won over a lot of fans with that performance, but that doesn?t change the fact that his contract is now up.

?With our participation in the World Cup now over, it is only right and proper that the executive, the technical committee and Kenny Thompson sit down and talk about the best way forward,? said BFA president Larry Mussenden.

?The technical committee will consider the way forward and in relation to the senior national team coach we will address it as necessary.

?And at this time it is important that we look to the future and we consult with Kenny on his views.?

Mussenden, however, stated that ?at this point? Thompson did remain the national coach and would be leading the team into the Caribbean Cup competition with Bermuda facing home and away ties against Aruba.

?He plans well, he delivers well, he is a real scholar of the game,? said Mussenden, who said that Thompson had done much to fulfil the BFA executive?s desire to become ?one of the top teams in the Caribbean and a side that can compete with the Central Americans?.

?We encourage every coach in Bermuda to make the same personal commitment that Kenny has made to the betterment of soccer on this Island.?

But Mussenden, who has come under fire recently from Sports Minister Dale Butler over the hotel bungle that nearly cost Bermuda home advantage in their second leg World Cup tie with El Salvador, then sent out a message to would-be successors to Thompson: ?Every coach should equip themselves with the knowledge, skills required and should undertake training and courses where possible so that they can answer the call themselves.?

Mussenden also revealed that following coach Gary Darrell?s departure last year, the BFA approached both Dennis Brown and Scott Morton about the top job, with Brown citing club commitments as a reason only to join the programme as assistant while Morton rejected the job due to ?considerations about the resources available?.

Thompson, who was already in a full-time role with the BFA as youth development officer, was then offered an additional part-time contract as senior coach ? a job which he gladly accepted.

When approached by yesterday, Thompson said it would be ?inappropriate to comment? but it is understood that he is keen to continue the work he has begun with the current crop of players.