Kwame Steede has braced himself for another campaign as Devonshire Cougars' player-coach although he admits he would rather not be burdened with the extra responsibility.

The 30-year-old playmaker reluctantly took the Cougars coaching reins at the beginning of last season and guided the Premier Division powerhouse to their first ever FA Cup title after beating Somerset Eagles.

He still baulks at talk of him being Cougars' long-term coaching solution and would prefer it if the club's hierarchy found a permanent replacement for ex-boss Devarr Boyles who quit the Rec. more than a year ago to become the Bermuda Football Association's youth director.

But with the new season just a few weeks' away that seems increasingly unlikely and, as the club's most senior player, Steede accepts he is once again the obvious short-term answer.

"I wouldn't say I'll be coaching but by the looks of it I'll be going through the paces. I'm still young but I'm down for whatever the team needs from me," said Steede, who has been overseeing the side's pre-season training.

"If they need me to be a player, I'll be there. If they need me to coach, I'll be there. I don't know what the executives are pondering, so I'm just doing what I need to do to get my team ready for the season."

Steede stepped down briefly as the Cougars coach midway through last season to focus on his game, only to reprise his role a few weeks later as Cougars continued their triumphant march to the final of the FA Cup.

Winning his first piece of silverware as Cougars coach was a special moment for Steede who now aims to regain the Premier Division title in order to re-qualify for the Concacaf Champions League.

The Big Cats became the first Bermudian team to compete in the top regional tournament since the late 1980s earlier this year but failed to advance past the first stage in St Vincent. They drew with host side Avenues United before losing to Surinam's Leo Victor and Trinidad giants Joe Public.

Still, it was a memorable experience for Steede who is desperate to play in the international club competition again.

"I have big ambitions, personal ambitions to tell you the truth," said Steede. "I hope my team is on the same wavelength. I want to be in the running for everything and anything (this season). I want to play in Concacaf again, that's where my ambitions lie. The Concacaf competition can be a door to other things and I hope the younger players realise that."

Cougars have bolstered their team with striker Jamie Smith and midfielder Chris Caisey who have both joined from relegated Hamilton Parish.

And Steede believes Smith could form a deadly partnership with the side's new skipper Domico Coddington.

"The two players we've brought in are quality players and will boost our team real good," he said. "Chris, we know well as he used to play for us and Jamie has always been a quality player. Coming to us will be a good move for him. He will be able to express himself and play freely.

"We have plenty of attacking options now and a new skipper in Domico (Coddington). I think it will be a very competitive league. Village, Cougars, Hornets and PHC will all be strong."

Cougars kick off the new season with a Charity Cup clash against Dandy Town on September 18.