Graham, a former Queensland full-back, is set to join the defending Super Rugby champions as head coach next season - with Ewen McKenzie stepping up to become director of rugby.

Graham had initially joined the Force as assistant to John Mitchell before taking over the reins at the end of the 2010 season.

His current deal in Perth runs until May 2014 - however he will now leave at the end of the current campaign.

Graham said told the club's official site: "The Emirates Western Force and RugbyWA gave me an opportunity to undertake my first full-time head coaching position and I'll forever be grateful for that.

Wonderful

"Perth is a wonderful place to live and play rugby and I will have no hesitation in telling that to anyone who asks me.

"I intend to do everything I can to make the back half of our season a successful one and there will be no distractions in my desire to achieve finals for the club in 2012."

Graham previously coached in England with Bath and Saracens before returning to Australia to assist Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

He guided the Force to five wins and two draws in his debut campaign in charge at the Force - while this season the club have managed just two wins from their opening eight games.

RugbyWA chief executive Vern Reid said the search had already started to recruit a world-class coach to replace Graham.

Interest

"We are firmly of the view that the head coaching position at the Emirates Western Force is a prestigious role, not only in the Super Rugby competition but globally," Reid said.

"From our initial discussions there has been strong interest from coaches with a world-class pedigree and expect that now that the opening will be widely known we'll get plenty of enquiries.

"As a young club we've always strived for success and see the next appointment as critical in achieving sustained success in the Super Rugby competition.

"We are of course disappointed that Richard will not be part of the long-term future at the Emirates Western Force but the nature of professional sport is that things can change very quickly and we have the plans in place that will enable us to recruit a head coach of impeccable standing to the club.

"It is our preference to find an outstanding Australian coach either currently working overseas or in Australia to be Richard's replacement however we will look at every possibility to recruit the best credentialed coach that is available in world rugby."