Former FC Porto goalkeeper coach Dan Gaspar was Bermuda Football Association's 'chosen man' and not technical director in-waiting Derek Broadley, a BFA source has revealed.

Gaspar, who boasts Sporting Lisbon and Benfica on his coaching CV, spent over a month thrashing out a lucrative package with the BFA before rejecting their offer to become the new technical director because of personal reasons.

Only then did the BFA turn to reserve candidate, ex-Crystal Palace academy director Broadley whose close links with Bermuda Football Foundation (BFF), run by Richard and Robert Calderon, has caused unrest and suspicion in the association's corridors of power.

The BFA source said some members of the executive committee feared Broadley's close working relationship with the BFF and other local bodies could pose a potential conflict of interests.

"Dan Gasper was the BFA's number one choice," said the source. "He was in talks with us for over a month and all his demands were met. His salary would have been in excess of the $125,000-a-year figure that has been banded about in the media.

"It served as a real blow when Dan (Gaspar) turned down the job due to personal reasons and only then did Derek (Broadley), who was next in the batting order, come into the equation.

"Some members are concerned about his close connections with other bodies on the Island, such as the Bermuda Football Foundation, which could present a conflict of interest."

Last week, The Royal Gazette reported that the executive committee had in fact approved Broadley's appointment over two weeks' ago with some members now concerned about the announcement's delay.

Ex-technical committee chairman Mark Trott, who would have been instrumental in the recruitment process, incurred the wrath of the executive after being captured by a Royal Gazette photographer introducing Broadley to national team coaching staff at a recent training session.

Trott was stripped of his position last month with president Larry Mussenden taking control of the technical committee.

The source continued: "It's fair to say Mark Trott was pushing for Derek's appointment and the executive were less than pleased when it was discovered he had introduced him to national team staff. That had not been approved by the executive or the connecting members."

Learning he was only Gaspar's bridesmaid will no doubt concern Broadley, whose position now threatens to be undermined before he even warms the technical director's seat.

Gaspar, who is head coach of University of Hartford in the US, is regarded as one of the top 'keeper coaches in the world and trained FC Porto's Vitor Baia, who was selected as the UEFA's Best European Goalkeeper in 2004.

Gaspar made history in 1993 when he became the first American-born coach to accept a full-time position in Europe with Sporting Lisbon, helping them to the Portuguese National Cup in 1995.

In 2003, he returned to Portugal to serve as 'keeper coach for Benfica and was part of former Spain coach Antonio Camacho's backroom team when The Eagles lifted the Portuguese Cup.

Broadley is head coach of Pennsylvania-based Reading Rage in the USL's PDL Championship, which caters to college players.

The Calderon brothers, both ex-Bermuda internationals, own a 30 percent stake in the outfit along with former West Ham striker Clyde Best.