Blues, Madge part ways as door to Broncos job swings wide open

NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire has walked away from the final year of his deal as he prepares to sign with an NRL team.

WEEKEND TELEGRAPHS. CHECK WITH PIC EDITOR JEFF DARMANIN BEFORE USE. Coach Michael Maguire at NSW Westpac Blues origin squad training, at Blue Mountains Grammar School in Wentworth Falls. Saturday 13/07/2024. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

The NSW Rugby League have agreed to release Blues coach Michael Maguire from the final year of his deal opening the door for him to sign with the Brisbane Broncos.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the NSWRL agreed to release Maguire following a board meeting on Monday morning.

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The board meeting was called after Maguire informed them of his intention to take the Broncos head coaching role vacated by Kevin Walters’ sacking.

The Broncos are close to announcing a multi-year deal with Maguire after succesful negotiations, but have given the him time to finalise his exit from the NSWRL.

Michael Maguire has been released by the NSW Blues.

Maguire submitted a presentation to the NSWRL board on Friday but did not mention the Broncos job at the time.

He has since informed NSWRL bosses of his desire to relocate to Queensland and take the head coaching job at the Broncos.

The NSWRL will now hunt for Maguire’s successor after he led the Blues to a 2-1 series win in his first year in charge.

Maguire is out the door. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Former coaches Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley could be in line for recalls, but the NSWRL reportedly are eyeing big fish in Grand Final coaches Ivan Cleary and Craig Bellamy.

Some of the names expected to be in the mix include Paul McGregor, John Cartwright, Trent Barrett, Michael Ennis, Brad Arthur, Matt King, Nathan Brown, Brett White, Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler.

Some left-field options include Phil Gould and the Johns brothers.

NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden is overseas on holiday holiday and will begin the process of finding a replacement for Maguire when he returns.

Maguire wasn’t appointed as NSW coach on a two-year deal until November 30 last year, so the NSWRL will take their time to get the replacement right.

It brings an end to Maguire’s short but successful stint as NSW Blues coach that saw him win his one and only series.

Originally published as Blues, Madge part ways as door to Broncos job swings wide open