Bermuda cricket coach Gus Logie has announced he will step down in September when his current contract with the Bermuda Cricket Board expires.

And United Arab Emirates coach Colin Wells has emerged as an early candidate to replace him.

Logie meanwhile is rumoured to be mulling over an offer to return to work with Canada in a consultation role.

The former West Indies international began his coaching career in North America, but his first stint with the country ended acrimoniously when he was sacked in 2003.

"I would like to thank the Bermuda Cricket Board Executives and staff, the Bermuda Government, players and the Bermuda community for their support and encouragement over the past four years," said Logie

"I have enjoyed my time here and wish Bermuda all the best for the future."

Logie may well have jumped before he was pushed, following Bermuda's miserable showing at the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa last month.

And while some former players may have been dissatisfied with recent team performances, the BCB seem genuinely disappointed that Logie is leaving.

"The Board is naturally disappointed Gus has decided to move on," said BCB president Reginald Pearman.

"He is a thorough professional and an ideal role model for all our players. He is truly a world-class coach who has accomplished a lot for cricket in Bermuda.

"We wish Gus and his family continued success in their endeavors and hope that they will always call Bermuda their second home.

"I recognise that the Board will have to undergo an extensive search to find a coach of his calibre and exemplary character."

Wells, whose UAE side beat Bermuda on their way to the Super 8 stage of the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa last month, is understood to have sounded out several members of the BCB about the role during the tournament.

The former Sussex and Derbyshire allrounder only joined UAE in January on a temporary deal that ended after the World Cup qualifiers, a fact Emirates Cricket Board secretary, Mazhar Khan, was at pains to point out at the time.

As well as playing for Sussex and Derbyshire, Wells had a brief stint in the England one-day side, and also played cricket in South Africa for Western Province and Border.

There is unlikely to be a shortage of candidates, however two other names certain to be linked with the job are those of David Hemp, and former seam bowler Clarence Parfitt.

However, the Board are likely to want someone with slightly more international coaching experience.

And for his part, Hemp, who has been consistently seen as a future coach, seems to feel that his immediate future lies on the field, rather than off it.

"I said at the end of the qualifiers that I still felt I had something to contribute and I would still like to carry on playing if I could," said Hemp. "But, if you asked me now, then yes, of course I would be interested (in coaching Bermuda).

"However, I haven't really given it too much thought because, I still want to carry on playing, and I'm wrapped up with coaching at the school [in England] at the moment anyway."

For Hemp, Logie's departure, while understandable is still disappointing.

"I've got a good relationship with Gus and certainly enjoyed working with him over the last few years," said Hemp. "Obviously it's sad when someone like that, who's respected in the game, (stands down).

"I'm very fond of him, and have enjoyed working with him, and from my point of view it's very disappointing that he has decided to call it a day and to move on.

"And I think the other players would feel the same way.

"As a coach there is a shelf life, if you like, and he probably felt that he had come to the end of the term, and maybe he feels that there needs to be a change.

"Obviously if we had qualified he might have stuck around for a couple of years, but it's his decision and I'm sure it's one he wouldn't have taken lightly. He's not that sort of individual.

"I'm obviously sorry to hear that he has decided to move on."

Logie's reign has ended on a low note.

Bermuda's ninth place finish at the World Cup qualifiers not only cost them a spot at the 2011 World Cup, but they also lost their One-Day International status and were relegated to Division Two of the World Cricket League.

It is in stark contrast to the start of Logie's tenure, when, in 2005, he became the first coach to take Bermuda to a World Cup, when they qualified for the 2007 tournament.

He also led Bermuda to the 2005 semifinals of the Intercontinental Cup and saw them win their first One Day International in 2006, the same year they won the Americas Regional 50 Overs Championship.

And only last year, they won their first ever ODI series against Canada.