Nahki Wells has expressed his sadness over the departure of senior national coach Michael Findlay.

The Canadian parted ways with the Bermuda Football Association by mutual consent this week, with the announcement of his departure arriving just days before the national team are scheduled to play an international friendly against potential World Cup qualifiers Democratic Republic of Congo in Mexico.

Luton Town striker Wells praised Findlay and thanked him for his contributions while saying he is sad to see him sever ties with football.

“Sad to see him go as I thought he was great during his spell as national team coach,” Wells told The Royal Gazette.

“He tried to bring a different perspective and I thought he had a really good group with the coaching staff in Kenny Thompson and John Barry Nusum.

“The association I guess are just looking to go a different route, but a huge, huge thank you to him. He has given me the opportunity to captain my country again in huge World Cup qualifiers. He’s been absolutely great with me; a great communicator, very much a people person and he will be missed.

“Things keep moving forward, football never stops and it’s all about what’s next for the country and the association. So for me it’s just an opportunity to say a big thank you to Michael Findlay and what he’s done in his efforts and application to help the national team and the youth programmes to drive Bermuda forward.

“Whether that’s a little or a lot, only time will tell. But a big thanks to him and I will reach out to him personally to have those conversations as well.”

The 35-year old said he would “love” to see local pair John Barry Nusum and Cecoy Robinson fill the vacant position for the time being while the BFA seek a permanent successor.

“I think the association will do their due diligence on who comes next but I would love to see someone like a John Barry Nusum or Cecoy Robinson, or maybe those two together, gain some experience on an interim basis,” Well said.

“The next international window could give the association time to employ someone for the summer moving forward, and who better than our own?

“I always question whether it’s best to have a local or foreigner and sometimes it’s a bit of both. But those guys have gained a lot of experience within the youth programmes and national team programme. They have plenty of experience, having played and been involved for a number of years, so they will be good options for the short term.”

As for his own future with the national team, Wells has no intentions of bowing out of the scene.

“It’s important to keep that open and I definitely think I still can perform and be one of our most influential players,” he said.

“Every dog has its day, but for now I still feel like I have a lot to give. I don’t want to close that chapter as of yet and if I can give anything back to the country in any capacity from a playing perspective then I will do.

“I can assure you that I will definitely represent my country again. How many times only time will tell, but that still means a lot to me and maybe when I do decide that day, I can try and make it as memorable as possible.

“Those are things you think about as you get older, but there’s still so much football to play so we will see.”

Wells said he never planned to make himself available for Bermuda’s next outing against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Mexico.

“I didn’t have any intentions of playing as it’s just a friendly and with how much football I have played lately, the body just needs to rest,” he said.

“It’s just a friendly and not a huge significance, so it gives me more time to be home with the family, which has been tough with our fixture load and how much travelling I have to do.”

Wells is recovering from a hamstring injury, which ruled him out of Luton’s 3-2 win at home to Exeter City in the EFL League One on Tuesday.

“It’s just a slight hamstring strain and probably a weeklong injury, so I potentially will miss Saturday’s game against Stockport and then we’ll see what the back end of this week looks like,” he said.

“Obviously it’s a big important one for us, so I want to be available, but I have to try and get it right because I don’t want to get it wrong and then miss the tail end of the season with so many important fixtures to come for us.

“With the heavy fixture load playing every four days for the last ten weeks or so, it’s inevitable to pick up a strain, and I am just grateful that it’s something minor and not significantly worse.”

Also in action in the League One on Tuesday was Wells’ compatriot Nathan Trott, whose Cardiff City were beaten 2-0 at home to Wycombe Wanderers to lose precious ground in the title race to leaders Lincoln City.