Kevin Walters didn’t take questions on Friday as Broncos boss Dave Donaghy explained his axing as coach

The critics have come out swinging after Kevin Walters was axed as Broncos coach 12 months after a grand final appearance.

Kevin Walters has been axed as Brisbane Broncos coach. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland coach Billy Slater won’t replace Kevin Walters next year after he confirmed on Friday morning that there was no chance he’d take over from the Broncos coach who was sacked after four seasons in charge.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy revealed a decision made “collectively” by club officials deemed his time as coach had come to an end.

Walters fronted the media on Friday morning, but he didn’t take questions, made a statement declaring his time in charge had been “very joyful” while Donaghy confirmed the five-time premiership player would stay on as a club ambassador to ensure his “connection” to the club remained strong.

Slater, the Maroons coach, quickly ruled himself out as a contender to replace Walters.

“Yeah, that won’t be happening,” he told Triple M Breakfast.

“I’m sure, you know, Dave Donaghy and the team at the Broncos will look at all possibilities that they could coach their footy team and they’ve obviously got someone in mind, if they’re looking to move Kev on, but there’ll be a number of candidates that throw their hat in the ring.

“The squad, there’s plenty of talent to coach and they made a grand final last year.”

Sacked coach Kevin Walters didn’t take questions on Friday. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Donaghy said he and club bosses had conversations over the past few weeks reflecting on the season and the challenges of being a coach, with all parties agreeing that the time was right for Walters to step down.

“We reached a decision collectively where we agreed and accepted that Kev’s time as head coach has come to an end,” Donaghy said.

“What I want to say on that is to single Kev out on the enormous contribution he’s made to our football club.

“Unless you’re in these four walls, I don’t think people see how much blood, sweat and toil goes into it. I think we can all understand and appreciate the genuine passion and love that Kev has for this football club.

“We see it every day and we know the toll it can take and the significant pressure that does exist of being the head coach of the Broncos.

“We’re going to be forever indebted for the contribution that Kev has made.

“If I think back to when Kev joined us at the end of 2020, I can hand on heart say that he’s put a pulse back into the Broncos.

“While he won’t continue as head coach, that connection will continue. Kev will remain an ambassador at the club, which I think is a really important connection for the Broncos and Kevin Walters.”

The Broncos were in turmoil when he took over after 2020 when they finished with the wooden spoon, and while he wasn’t able to end their premiership drought, Walters was immensely proud of what he was able to achieve.

Walters won 50 of his 99 games in charge and took them to a grand final last year, but he’s only made the top eight once in his four seasons in charge despite having one of the most talented rosters in the NRL.

The club great got emotional when talking about his family and what the club means to him.

“My time here has been very joyful. A lot of my time here has been good, but everyone has their dry moments and moments where you learn and get better. That’s certainly been the case for me for the past four years,” he said.

Walters and Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy front the media. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I’m really proud of the fact that when I arrived here, the club wasn’t in great shape. I feel that myself and a lot of other good staff here have shaped the club.

“The proudest moment was last year and the grand final with my son (playing) and the rest of my family in attendance. It was really nice.

“This year was a tough year for everyone, including fans, sponsors and members.

“Stick with the club because it’s a great club, and I’m sure they’ll be back challenging again before too long.”

Donaghy denied that Walters had “lost” Brisbane’s playing group.

“I don’t believe that was the case,” he said.

“Everyone loves Kev. They love his personality, they love the passion he’s got for the organisation, but in terms of the contents of the review, we’ll keep that in-house.”

Attention now turns to who takes over, with Blues coach Michael Maguire and Maroons assistant Josh Hannay already linked to the role.

Hannay has done a terrific job as Craig Fitzgibbon’s assistant at the Sharks, with the Cronulla coach speaking glowingly of his right-hand man ahead of Saturday night’s preliminary final.

“Josh was in the frame for the Parramatta job as well, so with respect, we hope that some day Josh does get an opportunity,” he said.

“He’s obviously a wonderful coach, did a terrific job with Queensland, and he does amazing work with us as do (fellow assistant coaches) ‘DJ’ Holdsworth and Steve Price. We’ve got a really good coaching group.

“I’d love to keep them here, I’m not going to lie about that. I wish and hope he stays but I’d also understand if a club like Brisbane were in the running, he should be looking at that.”

Donaghy said there was an “onus” on him to “move quickly” in appointing a new coach.

“We won’t take too long on that,” he said.