Derek Broadley insisted he was not bothered whether he was Bermuda Football Association's first choice candidate or not, pointing out: "Alex Ferguson wasn't Manchester United's first choice either".

Earlier this month BFA sources revealed that ex-FC Porto goalkeeper coach Dan Gaspar had been their 'chosen man' and was offered a lucrative package only to turn the job down because of personal reasons.

But Broadley said he was not concerned about the ins and outs of the recruitment process which led to his appointment, or what position he was in the BFA's 'batting order'.

"You know, Alex Ferguson wasn't the first choice when he took over at Manchester United," said Broadley. "If I do a good job then I don't think it matters whether I was first choice or second choice.

"I heard names like Paul Mariner and John Barnes mentioned and I'm proud to be in the same frame as them. But saying that, I think I've got a very good background in youth development and have got players playing regularly in the Football League and Premier League.

"Having a top name is great but how much experience would they have working at the grassroots and in youth development? That's my expertise."

Broadley arrives on the Island with local football in a state of turbulence following the dismal World Cup qualifying showing against Cayman, coupled with the sacking of Bermuda assistant coach Jack Castle and recent tales of poor attendance at national team training sessions.

However, Broadley is unperturbed by the uneasy backdrop and is confident he can help bring "opposing factions" together and create a sense of "harmony".

"I think the BFA has put a lot of emphasis on my appointment to try and bring everyone together," he said. "I've heard stories about there being opposing factions and hopefully I can help bring people together and create some harmony."

Broadley, who nurtured the likes of Wayne Routledge (Aston Villa), Stephen Hunt (Reading), Hayden Mullins (West Ham) and Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace) during his stewardship as Crystal Palace's academy director, believes his biggest challenges will be in changing players' negative attitudes towards training and gaining the trust of local teams.

"Bermuda is a very laid back place," he said. "Sometimes I think that transfers onto the field. I don't think there's enough emphasis on training and too much emphasis on matches. Matches are a test of your training and we need to adopt more of a training culture.

"Probably my biggest challenge will be trying to get people to recognise how important training is.

"I'm trying to grow things from the grassroots up and get into the local clubs. I believe that's been a problem in the past. I'm going to need them on board."

As well as familiarising himself with the domestic clubs, Broadley is also keen to strike up a working relationship with the Bermuda Hogges and is eager to meet with the franchise's hierarchy.

"One meeting I want to organise very early on in my tenure is with Bermuda Hogges," he said. "I think the Hogges are a vital platform for developing the national team. That's where players can get exposure to regular high-level competition.

"Obviously I have links with Reading Rage and the ideal situation would be to ship young Bermuda players to the Rage and then for them to come back and represent the Hogges and the national team."