Bascome linked with national team post
Andrew Bascome is the latest high-profile coach to be linked with Bermuda Football Association’s (BFA) vacant national coaching position.According to reliable sources the former North Village and Bermuda midfield general has been approached by the BFA who he is scheduled to meet with in the near future to discuss the terms of a possible coaching deal.BFA Player Development Committee chairman Mark Wade would neither confirm or deny that Bascome’s services are being sought by local football’s governing body when contacted by this newspaper yesterday.“I have nothing to say,” was all the former PHC defender was prepared to comment. “I have nothing to add.”Bascome also declined an invitation to comment.The national coach position became available after Devarr Boyles had fulfilled the role on an interim basis following Bermuda’s exit from 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers last November.Since then the BFA have been sifting through potential candidates to fill the void.Among those who have shown interest in taking on the national coaching job are former English pros Kyle Lightbourne and Shaun Goater who has long expressed interest in coaching at that level since hanging up his boots“The BFA have reached out and are looking to arrange an interview (for national coach job) which I will apply to and put my best foot forward,” Goater told The Royal Gazette. “I have a very huge interest to pursue this opportunity.”Goater reckons his experience as a player in the English game will be an asset to the senior national program if given the opportunity to coach at that level.“I have professional experience and the ability to motivate and pass on a lot of this experience to players to help them perform better,” he said.Among those backing Goater for the national coaching post is former West Ham striker Clyde Best.“If I had my way I would give it to Shaun because he’s been there and knows more about the game than most coaches on the Island,” he said.Another individual interested in the job is ex-Nigerian International and UEFA certified coach Sam Okpodu who reckons he has the pedigree to transform Bermuda into a reckoning force in the Caribbean region.“One thing I believe is that Bermuda is loaded with talent and with the right people and right support and everything else I don’t see why Bermuda can’t compete with the rest of the Caribbean Islands,” he said. “I’d like the opportunity to put Bermuda in among the leaders in the Caribbean.”