Kenny Thompson dropped a bombshell yesterday when he announced his decision not to seek re-appointment as Bermuda's national football coach.

Thompson's short-term contract as national coach ended on a sour note in the Cayman Islands last month when Bermuda were dumped out of the Digicel Caribbean Cup at the first hurdle.

The ex-Bermuda international took charge of the team earlier this year from Keith Tucker who quit during Bermuda's World Cup qualifying campaign after losing the confidence and respect of his players.

"After a great deal of personal contemplation and collective discussion within my family unit, I announce my decision not to apply for any of the full-time positions advertised by the Bermuda Football Association.

"I have made this decision with careful consideration of family, personal and professional factors," Thompson told The Royal Gazette.

"Although, on the surface, the prospect of returning to the Bermuda Football Association on a full-time basis to assist in the further development of Bermuda football is attractive, I am reluctant to leave my role as a teacher at CedarBridge Academy."

Thompson said he was also reluctant to part company with his beloved Somerset Eagles and Football Academy that he has been involved with for the past three-years at White Hill Field.

"I would like to thank the Bermuda Football Association for providing me with the opportunity to be a part of its national team program in various functions at youth and senior levels, and wish the organisation every success," he added.

Thompson's decision not to re-apply for the post might not come as a total surprise given he was forced to take a back seat to Bermuda Football Association (BFA) technical director Derek Broadley ¿ who hasn't ruled out the possibility of taking over the reins of the senior national team himself on an interim basis until a suitable candidate is recruited ¿ during last month's ill-fated Digicel Cup campaign in the Caribbean.

"If you look across the Caribbean there are technical directors who also coach the national team," Broadley told The Royal Gazette. "Cayman Islands' technical director Carl Brown is also head coach."

The deadline for all applicants to submit applications was yesterday. But at press time last night it remained unclear as to how many applicants had actually applied for the job.

Earlier this week former national coach Kyle Lightbourne indicated that he has considered throwing his hat into the ring.

"I have given it (coaching job) a thought, but as of yet I haven't made a final decision," he said.

Lightbourne has already completed a stint as Bermuda's national coach, leading the Gombey Warriors to the second round of the 2006 Digicel Cup, to date the Island's best showing in the bienniel regional competition.

It is also unclear whether or not the likes of Andrew Bascome and Manchester City icon Shaun Goater have in fact applied for the position.