The Western Force will announce their new head coach on Wednesday, with assistant Dave Wessels in the mix to get the job.

The Force have been on the lookout for a new coach since sacking Michael Foley in June with a year remaining on his contract.

Wessels, who worked as a senior assistant under Foley for three years, took charge for the final three games of the Super Rugby season.

Although all three of those matches resulted in losses, Wessels was among a handful of candidates to be shortlisted for the full-time job.

Former Force assistant John Mulvihill and ex-All Blacks back-rower Jonno Gibbes were others reportedly being considered.

Wessels, 34, would become the youngest current coach in Super Rugby if he won the job.

The Force endured a tumultuous 2016 campaign – both on and off the field.

The Perth-based franchise only narrowly avoided the wooden spoon after two wins from 15 games.

Their financial struggles were laid bare in June when the Australian Rugby Union took the drastic measure of forming an alliance with the Force to ensure the franchise didn’t go under.

The Force’s long-term future is still far from secure.

The franchise have until the next TV rights deal – in four years – to prove they are worth keeping in the competition.