‘Right time’: Allan Langer comes clean on shock Broncos move

Broncos legend Allan Langer has set the record straight after the shock decision to transition into a new role at the club.

Allan Langer has come clean on the shock move. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Brisbane NRL legend Allan Langer has revealed that he wanted to remain a Bronco for life after the shock decision to move into a new role.

Langer has been a mainstay at the Broncos, first in 258 games and four premierships for the club before being a blue shirt trainer for the team.

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But in an off-season of upheaval that saw great mate Kevin Walters dumped as head coach and Michael Maguire installed as head coach, the 58-year-old decided it was time to transition into a new role.

The decision to remove Walters as head coach reportedly hit Langer hard and left the 58-year-old “shattered” and tossing up whether he’d continue his role as trainer for the club in 2025.

And the man who was short-listed for Immortal status earlier this year revealed he’d decided to move into a new role.

“After a long year, I just felt like I needed a change,” Langer told the Courier Mail.

“I went to see Dave (Donaghy) and I explained that at this stage of my life and with the changes at the club, it was just the right time.”

Broncos legend and trainer Allan Langer with Reece Walsh. Picture NRL

It’s been a tough time for the Broncos, despite making the grand final in 2023.

The club missed the finals in four of the last five years, including claiming the club’s first wooden spoon in 2020.

But despite reportedly being sounded out for a role with cross-town rivals the Dolphins, Langer stayed loyal.

“I’ve been with the Broncos since the start,” he said. “I want to be there until the end.”

Walters himself previously said of Langer: “He is a great ally to have and is a real Broncos man, which makes it even more special.

“We will be carrying Alf out in a box.”

Maguire also hoped that Langer would stay at the club.

Rated by legendary coach Wayne Bennett as the greatest Bronco and a snubbed Immortal, stating he would have been awarded the honour “if he’d been down in NSW”, Langer has been part of the furniture at Red Hill in the two decades since his retirement.

While he won’t be out on the field carrying messages and drinks in the Michael Maguire era, Langer will move into a new ambassadorial role where he will work with sponsors.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said he was only too happy to facilitate the move for Langer.

“When Alf came to see me, I was only too happy to make this happen,” Donaghy said.

“Alf is such a special person. Everyone knows him and everyone loves him, but better yet, he loves the Broncos just as much.

“He’s always said to me that he will do anything for the club and he is genuinely excited about swapping the blue shirt for the buttoned up one.

Langer with the 1992 Winfield Cup.

Allan Langer is a Broncos legend. Picture: NRL Photos

“Alf has a job at the Broncos for as long as he wants.

“I’ve never met someone who doesn’t enjoy a chat with Alf and vice-versa. He has endless stories and he’s going a play a massive role for us in connecting with our fans right across the state and beyond.

“It’s been great to talk through the opportunities with Alf.”

Langer’s new role will include promoting the Broncos across regional Queensland, as well as travelling to Las Vegas in March with Broncos partner Corporate Business Travel.

“I can’t wait to hit the road and take the Broncos to regional Queensland in a new way,” Langer said.

“I also can’t wait to get back to Vegas again and see our great game of rugby league, it will give the Americans something to talk about.

“It’s the perfect role for me.”

Originally published as ‘Right time’: Allan Langer comes clean on shock Broncos move