‘Public enemy No. 1’ holds talks with Broncos as frontrunner emerges

Kevin Walters’ seat is still warm after his shock sacking, but the Brisbane Broncos have already spoken with their surprise first choice.

Michael Maguire is top of the Broncos list. Photo: Getty Images and Liam Kidston

The Brisbane Broncos have wasted no time in their hunt for their next head coach as reports emerged the club had already held talks with their frontrunner.

And it’s a decision that may shock staunch Queensland fans.

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The Courier Mail reported the Broncos could move to name a new coach “within a week”, revealing NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire had already held talks with the club.

The Broncos have reportedly named Maguire as the preferred candidate for the role and had already kicked off discussions with the man who led the Blues to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Maroons.

The Brisbane Times suggested Maguire was willing to continue discussions pending a conversation with the NSW Rugby League as he has another year to run on his contract coaching the Blues.

While it’s a decision that may be galling to some considering he wrestled the State of Origin series away from Queensland after back-to-back series wins.

The Wide World of Sports’ The Mole called Maguire “public enemy number one” after claiming the Origin series for NSW and his ongoing war of words with Queensland coach Billy Slater.

Maguire has build a brilliant resume. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

Broncos legend Shane Webcke blasted the suggestion.

“Mate, he coaches New South Wales! Spare me that,” Webcke said.

“I’ve got nothing against him, but did we get rid of Kevvie Walters for that? I don’t think so.”

While Maguire was famously sacked by the Rabbitohs after the 2017 season despite taking the club to the 2014 premiership — Souths’ first in 43-years — and enjoying a horror run at the Wests Tigers, which finished with his firing in the club’s 2022 wooden spoon season.

However, since then he masterminded New Zealand’s 2022 World Cup campaign — the only loss was a 16-14 loss to Australia in the semi-final — a 30-0 drubbing of Australia in last seasons’ Pacific Championships final, and NSW’s State of Origin triumph in his first campaign at the helm.

Fellow Broncos great Corey Parker, who played 347 games for the club, suggested he wouldn’t have an issue with Maguire taking the reins.

“I think it’s rubbish,” Parker said of questions about Maguire going from NSW to the Broncos.

“If you’re the best man for the job, you’re the best man for the job.

“There’s been some ex-players that have said you can’t have a NSW coach coaching the Broncos, but a number of years ago, they were headhunting Craig Bellamy, and he’s done both.”

However, he added that Maguire needed to be “somebody who has runs on the board, is stable, but also has a strong personality who have all the players on the same page.”

He’s a premiership winning coach. Picture Gregg Porteous

Queensland legend Cooper Cronk said having coached New Zealand, NSW and Brisbane would make three “highly emotionally charged jerseys” in a row.

“It’s going to be interesting to see if that evidence that came through the review made them pull the trigger early to try and get someone like Michael Maguire off the back of what he did with the NSW Origin team this year,” Cronk added.

Maguire is a noted disciplinarian, it may just be what the Broncos need to add a hard edge to their exciting attacking weapons.

Maguire isn’t the only option either, with the likes of former Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou, renowned assistant Josh Hannay and ex-Eels coach Brad Arthur considered in the running.

Even former 200-game Bronco turned rugby great and Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn has been tossed up as an option.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has already ruled himself out of the running.

The NRL world was shocked when Walters was given his marching orders.

Kevin Walters fronted the media on Friday. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The 56-year-old wiped away tears has he spoke at a press conference, although he’ll remain employed at the club as an “ambassador”.

“I am really proud of the fact that when I arrived here … the club wasn’t in great shape,” he said.

“And I feel like myself, along with a lot of other good staff and people here have shaped the club. One of my proudest moments was last tear’s grand final with my son and all my family in attendance. It was really nice. And this year. A tough year obviously for everyone, including fans and sponsors and members.

“Stick with the club. It’s a great club. I’m sure that they’ll be back challenging again before too long.”

Walters took the Broncos to the grand final in 2023 but in three of his four seasons in charge, the side missed the finals.

However, he arrived after the club claimed the first wooden spoon in club history.

Originally published as ‘Public enemy No. 1’ holds talks with Broncos as frontrunner emerges