GRAHAM Bassi's reign as head coach of Bournemouth Dolphins looks set to end in December just two years after it began.

Club chairman Ken Joy announced this week that Bassi, 50, had given notice to terminate his contract but had offered to "fulfill the three months' notice period".

However, sources close to the head coach said they believed he had resigned reluctantly and had not ruled out the possibility of reversing his decision in certain circumstances.

In a statement, Joy said: "I would like to take the opportunity to thank Graham personally and on behalf of the club for his work since he arrived here in December 2005.

"His drive and enthusiasm for producing elite athletes has certainly raised the bar not only at Bournemouth Dolphins SC but throughout Dorset swimming.

"We would like to wish him every success in his future coaching career."

Asked if Bassi's resignation had come as a surprise, he said: "No, because he has told me several times over the past few days that he was thinking of handing in his notice on October 1."

It is understood that Bassi does not currently have another job to go to but Joy added: "He has had several job offers around the country and I think he is actively pursuing some of these now.

"The club will now be actively looking for a high-calibre replacement to ensure that we maintain the high standard of coaching that the swimmers deserve and currently enjoy."

Bassi, who recently returned from an experience-gathering two-week coaching trip to America, arranged through Britain's former national performance director Bill Sweetenham, told the Echo his contract prevented him from discussing the matter with the media without the club's permission, which had not so far been granted.

Bassi arrived in Bournemouth with a wealth of international experience and a reputation as one of the most successful club coaches in the country.

In his 10 years with his previous club, Lincoln Vulcans, he led them from obscurity to the very summit of British youth and age group swimming.

Two of his former swimmers, Lizzie Simmonds and Kate Haywood, have gone on to reach world championship finals earlier this year.

Bournemouth Dolphins have also risen meteorically during Bassi's time in charge, recording a best-ever third place in the Speedo League West and a first trip to the national finals, a first-ever title in the Southern Junior League, a record number of qualifiers for the summer nationals and best-ever results in county and regional championships.

The club is set to make its debut against other junior league champions in the national semi-final at Ipswich on October 7.

But Bassi's time in charge has also been punctuated by conflicts with some committee members and parents over his coaching philosophy and management style, and the Echo understands that the fallout from these issues is behind his resignation.