Kenny Thompson has expressed his excitement about returning to Somerset Trojans.

The former Trojans midfielder, who enjoyed success with the club as a player having made his debut at 17, was named director of methodology at the club on Tuesday.

“It feels amazing to be returning home to the club where I spent significant development years during a golden era of youth development, then getting into the senior team at a young age where we won everything there was to win,” Thompson told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s the only club where I won everything except the FA Cup during my playing days. The opposite is true as a coach, where I’ve won everything everywhere except here. So to return home to what still is a community passionate about its football warms me.”

The former Village coach touched on what exactly he will be doing in his newly created position.

“There’s been a lot of attention paid to the title of my role,” he said.

“In my experience, it is important to be clear about the role. On the one hand, we desired to stay away from buzz football terminology.

“I think if a general survey on terms like technical director or football director was done, most might also not be positioned to specifically define what those roles entail.

“If I described my previous responsibilities under those titles, one might still go away without understanding why those terms are used.

“In this role, I’m responsible for developing, managing and leading the individual and collective development towards the performance of the players and teams made up of those players.

“In order for this to be optimised, the coaches need to be guiding the development from a clear curriculum in which they must deliver the concepts of the curriculum in a consistent and methodical manner.

“Not just one coach but every coach in the programme. Parents don’t choose a school for their children because of one teacher. They choose based on the overall structure, curriculum and values of the school, and how it is all delivered.”

Thompson started last season in charge of Village, before Calvin “Patches” Dill Jr took over in an interim capacity. Dill, formerly with St George’s Colts, went on to achieve the double by winning the league and the FA Cup.

“I haven’t missed being in the technical area this past season,” the Bermuda assistant coach added.

“My passion is optimal player development, which means that elite level performing coaches are paramount.

“The club president, football chairman, football technical and admin team and everyone who was a part of the discussions were clear on a professional, methodical and long-term pathway back to the legacy era of the club.

“I’ve spent the previous eight months with a mentor who has helped me realise there is another level to go to here in Bermuda. That combined with Somerset’s approach made it easier to accept the role.

“It was always my ambition to return home, although it seemed like the stars wouldn’t align. As things go, the stars have aligned with this opportunity at the club that is home to much of my development and success.

“The stars aligned perfectly at a time when I’m at the peak of my performance. Everything in its time and at the right time.”