The Bermuda Football Association plans to unveil a new caretaker coach early next week and is promising Kenny Thompson's successor an opportunity to stake a claim for the hot-seat.

Thompson's shock resignation from his post last week came just 24 hours after The Royal Gazette exclusively revealed New England Revs assistant Paul Mariner and former Reggae Boyz boss Rene Simoes had appeared on the BFA's list of applicants for the technical director's job.

Conscious of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers looming ever closer, the BFA has wasted no time in reacting to Thompson's departure, moving swiftly to scour for a successor.

They have made assurances the new incumbent will given "carte blanche" over all team affairs, and could be in charge of two unconfirmed international friendly matches later this month against Cocacaf region opposition.

"By next week an announcement could be made regarding a new caretaker manager," said technical committee chairman Mark Trott. "He will perform the same role vacated by Kenny Thompson and will be given carte blanche in terms of team selection.

"Whoever comes in will rightly expect that and will have an opportunity to make the role permanent."

Part of the technical director's mandate will involve the hiring of coaches at all levels, including the national team boss. The BFA would ideally like to have the new man onboard before any friendly fixtures, so to provide an opportunity for him to cast a critical gaze over the national team early on in his stewardship.

"We hope to be in a position to appoint the technical director as soon as possible and if he's on board before any friendly games we would like him to be involved," Trott said. "Friendly fixtures would provide him with an ideal opportunity to observe the national team and make assessments."

Just a few months prior to his resignation Thompson voiced his frustration at the lack of friendly dates booked in the diary, fearing the hunt for a technical director had taken precedence in the BFA's corridors of power.

But Trott stressed the search had not interfered with qualifying preparations. "The technical committee is in the midst of organising friendly matches for the national team," he said. "We are currently in discussions with nations in the Concacaf region and are awaiting confirmation. Talks have been positive and we are looking to have two friendly dates finalised before December if possible.

"Ideally we want to organise a home and away leg, similar to the World Cup qualifying format."

Thompson tendered his resignation from the post he had held for the past eight months for undisclosed reasons, though it is common knowledge the Somerset Eagles player/coach did not always see eye-to-eye with the BFA hierarchy over the running of the domestic game.

The preliminary 2010 FIFA World Cup draw is to be made in Durban, South Africa, on November 25.