Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer says he's shocked and disappointed by Brad Hogg's decision to leave the BBL franchise but he's adamant their friendship won't suffer as a result.
Hogg has told the Scorchers he's jumping ship, with speculation the star spinner will take up a big-money deal with the Melbourne Renegades.
The 45-year-old quickly became a cult hero at the Scorchers after coming out of retirement in late 2011 and Langer was keen to retain him for at least another season.
But Hogg will instead try his luck elsewhere in what shapes as a big gamble away from his adoring fans at the WACA.
"In my opinion, he's made the wrong decision," Langer said on Friday.
"I can go to bed at night knowing we offered him more money than we offered him last year.
"He could have been involved with the Scorchers for the next five or 10 years ... coaching or marketing.
"We offered him a position to keep playing for us.
"He's such an iconic figure with the Scorchers. It just seems a bit strange to me that he's decided to go that way."
Langer and Hogg have exchanged texts since Hogg made his decision to leave but are yet to speak to each other.
Langer is confident they will be able to retain their strong friendship.
"We've been friends since we were kids. We went to school together," Langer said of Hogg, who won two titles with the Scorchers.
"All I know is I'll retain my integrity and I'll retain my friendship with Brad Hogg. I'm not losing a friendship with someone over a business deal."
Langer also went through a similar situation in 2013 when his good friend and former teammate Mike Hussey signed for the Sydney Thunder.
"I was devastated," Langer said.
"I had just started as a coach and I'm going, 'Oh, it's all personal, it's the end of the world'.
"I nearly died. But you get thicker skin. Life will go on. No one is irreplaceable."
