Harrower has won two WNBL championships and was a co-founder and foundation coach of the Spirit, taking the reins from the club’s inception and compiling a 129-65 win-loss record including six visits to the finals in eight seasons.

But it was clear this season that Harrower and the Spirit’s board were at loggerheads and relations soured to the point where the board advertised the coaching position for next season despite Harrower holding an option to extend his contract.

When Harrower took that option last week, the Sprit offered him a much reduced offer, citing the need to “restructure” the club to battle a debt of more than $200,000.

Some rumours put the club’s offer at just $5000 for next season. Spirit chairman Greg Bickley did not state the amount while admitting the offer was “substantially less” than last season.

Bickley said the club was fighting for its future due to having an “accumulated debt”, so it had to cut costs.

Harrower told Fairfax Media on Monday he could not comment on the matter as it was in the hands of his solicitors, but he did say he had a contract for next season and expected it would be honoured.

It is not certain if the club could alter Harrower’s pay under the terms of the option.

Bickley said Harrower had rejected the club’s offer.

“We put an offer to Bernie, which he rejected,” Bickley said on Monday afternoon. “There is speculation he agreed to coach for a reduced fee. That is incorrect.

“He insisted on his coaching fee being the same as last year, but it was a counter-offer we simply can’t afford. He asked to take a small amount of his coaching fee upfront and then receive the rest at a later date - it’s this kind of deal that has got the club into trouble in the past - we are still paying players now who are no longer playing for the club.

"Make no mistake, we are fighting for our future here and in so far as our restructure, the coaching position is just one part of it."

Bickley said the Spirit would now search for a new coach and he expected there to be great interest in the role.

The Spirit are believed to have leading players Kelsey Griffin, Gabe Richards, Kelly Wilson, Sara Blicavs, Tessa Lavey and Belinda Snell under contract for next season but when asked if those players would be asked to renegotiate their contracts, Bickley didn't rule it out.

"We conducted end-of-season interviews with the players and coaching staff which involved the board, independent people and sponsor representatives – it was a very considered process," he said.

"Part of process is undertaking in where the club needs to be for next season. We have spoken to the girls individually and continue to keep them informed and part of the process."