appears poised to take over as coach of the Bermuda national team.

Confirmation that Bermuda have re-entered the Caribbean's most prestigious soccer tournament, the Shell/Umbro tournament in February, has forced Bermuda Football Association to move swiftly to secure a coach in order to get a team properly prepared in time for the preliminary rounds.

And Best appears to be their man.

The BFA wouldn't comment on the possibility of Best being approached, but word is that he is a strong candidate for the post based on the talks he had with the association last season when he was brought in to conduct a coaching clinic.

Best's chances of being offered the post are enhanced by the fact that he also met with prospective corporate sponsors last year about future coaching assignments.

All BFA general secretary David Sabir would say this week about reviving a senior squad for the first time since the 1992 World Cup campaign and appointing a new coach was that the "groundwork'' was well underway.

Coaching chairman Aldwyn Savery could not be reached for comment.

Best made it no secret while here months ago that he would be interested in returning home fulltime to coach for the first time since leaving for West Ham as a young player back in the late 1960s.

"I'm always interested in coaching and if something was to arise of course I would be happy to come back home. I would have to relocate to get the job done right, that's how I would have to do it. You can't commute, its too far away,'' said Best, who now resides in California.

News that Best could be given the job when Bermuda were considering entering the World Cup early this year won approval from Bermuda's two professional soccer players in England, Kyle Lightbourne and Shawn Goater. Both said they would welcome the opportunity to work under him. "He's been in the professional game and knows what it takes,'' said Lightbourne.

Added Goater: "He's a person I've looked up to as a role model and I'm sure the respect will be there amongst the players.'' Some coaches, however, had reservations about Best even being considered because he doesn't have a B-level license, which is the minimum criteria for a national coach.

But former coaching chairman Johnny Nusum said that because Best had so many other impressive qualities, such as playing experience and having been coached by some highly competent coaches in many countries, his credentials were sound.

In the Shell/Umbro opening round of Group Two, Bermuda will be matched against Cayman Island, Puerto Rico and a powerful Jamaica team which is currently on a prominent run in the CONCACAF section of the World Cup.