Brisbane Broncos announce next coach after late drama

The Broncos have confirmed Michael Maguire as the next coach of the club, but the announcement has already been overshadowed.

Michael Maguire is officially the new Broncos coach.

The Broncos have confirmed Michael Maguire as Kevin Walters’ replacement.

Brisbane on Tuesday morning announced the former NSW State of Origin coach has signed a three-year contract through to the end of the 2027 NRL season.

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Maguire was immediately identified as the leading candidate to replace Walters and quickly negotiated for the former Rabbitohs coach to be released from the final year of his contract as NSW State of Origin coach.

“I am a career coach. I love the daily stuff,” the 50-year-old said as he was unveiled as Brisbane’s new coach at a press conference on Tuesday.

“My last campaign in Origin. It was an incredible, amazing experience. But I am a person that loves the day to day.

“I’ve missed having a staff. I’ve missed having players around me daily. That’s what I got a lot out of as a head coach.”

Michael Maguire is officially the new Broncos coach. Photo: Fox Sports.

Maguire and Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said his appointment was confirmed in the “last few days, if that”.

“I never thought I’d be sitting here a couple days ago,” Maguire said.

“I’m extremely hungry to win another competition. I’m not going to put a timeline on it but I’m in a rush like all of us. We all want to have success.

“I love Brissy, it’s a nice place.

“One thing about myself is I like to create something great wherever it is I go. “

It comes as late drama unfolded in the hours leading into the announcement with Broncos legend Gorden Tallis sensationally telling Maguire to “lose my number”.

The Queensland icon said on Fox League’s NRL 360 on Monday night he would not accept any kind of role with his old club — because of his ongoing role as an ambassador of the Gold Coast Titans.

Tallis has been highly critical of the club’s front office and again scorched club officials on Monday night over the sacking of his former teammate Kevin Walters.

It has poured cold water on the Broncos’ big day with the appointment of Maguire rubbing some commentators in Queensland the wrong way.

Michael Maguire is in the hot seat. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Maguire said in a statement released by the club he simply wants fans to be “proud” of the team.

“The Broncos are one of rugby league’s great clubs and it will be an honour to step into the role of head coach, he said.

“The Broncos organisation has a high expectation on everything it does. It’s built a great history and shown the strength of what a club can be and what it can mean to fans. Playing my part in the great vision of what the Broncos stand for is the exciting part for me.

“We want the members to turn up and be proud of the way we play, proud of their team. I can’t wait to get started in Brisbane.”

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said: “Michael brings a wealth of experience across more than two decades of coaching and he has tasted success at club, state and international level.

“We believe he is the right man to fill the role of Head Coach at the Broncos to take our current playing group forward.

Michael Maguire in NSW colours. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers.

“We are looking forward to Michael supporting our football program as they get to work on preparations for 2025.”

Broncos legend Shane Webcke last week slammed the idea of hiring Maguire.

“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.

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos announce next coach after late drama