Former Reggae Boyz coach Rene Simoes is no longer in the running for the technical director's job Bermuda Football Association (BFA) sources have confirmed.

It is thought Simoes' wage demands were in excess of the $125,000 per year salary, while he may have also requested the national team coach's role as part of the package.

Earlier this week it emerged New England Revolution assistant Paul Mariner had withdrawn his application for the post, with the ex-England marksman thought to be in discussions over a potential move to another Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Back in October The Royal Gazette revealed both high profile names had appeared on the BFA's list of candidates for the vacant position, along with Trinidadian Stephen Hart, a former Canada national team coach, and British Virgin Islands (BVI) technical director Ben Davies.

Interviews have been conducted by the BFA, but when contacted yesterday secretary David Sabir was unable to comment on Simoes or when a decision would be made. Brazilian coach Simoes had vehemently denied applying for technical director of the BFA. In an article that appeared in the Jamaica Gleaner in October the 54-year-old was quoted as saying: "I have not applied for, nor indicated any interest in a coaching job in Bermuda. I have also not been contacted by the Bermuda Federation (BFA) with an offer for such a position."

Simoes performed wonders when he famously guided Jamaica to their first ever World Cup finals at France '98, edging out more experienced nations such as Costa Rica, Canada, Honduras and El Salvador to earn a place among the 32 finalists.

As a professional coach for more than 20 years he has worked in Portugal and Qatar and was involved in coaching Brazil's under-20 and under-23 teams.

In the 2004 Summer Olympics, he won the silver medal with the Brazil women's national football team and previously coached Trinidad and Tobago. Currently he is at the helm of Coritiba Foot Ball Club in the Brazilian Serie B.

Newly appointed national coach Keith Tucker and former Alabama football academy director Richard Todd were the only two Bermudians to apply for the post last held by Clyde Best.

The technical director will be pivotal in the association's ambitious multi-million dollar plan to revolutionise local football with the role far more grass-roots and club-orientated than before.