Michael Maguire is officially Brisbane’s new coach, after he was released from his duties with the NSW State of Origin side and confirmed on a three-year deal at the Broncos.
Just five days after sacking club legend Kevin Walters, the Broncos confirmed on Tuesday that Maguire would take over the team immediately ahead of the 2025 pre-season.
Maguire’s appointment marks a stunning turnaround for the 2014 premiership winner, who was sacked by the struggling Wests Tigers midway through 2021.
He has since won a Pacific Championships with New Zealand and an Origin series with NSW, before now returning to club land with 2023 grand-finalists Brisbane.
“The Broncos are one of rugby league’s great clubs and it will be an honour to step into the role of head coach,” Maguire said in a Brisbane club statement.
“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.”
Maguire’s immediate challenge at Brisbane will be to pull the playing group into line, with questions around their attitude following their defeat in last year’s grand final.
The club’s drop to 12th place on this year’s ladder marked one of the greatest slides in premiership history, despite them having one of the NRL’s most star-studded rosters.
Maguire is also bound to face challenges from the Broncos’ all-powerful old boys club.
Four years after Anthony Seibold noted their “agendas” on his way out of Brisbane in 2020, it is already clear things will be difficult for another outsider.
Broncos legend Shane Webcke last week questioned why the club would sack Walters. Gorden Tallis also slammed the decision on Monday night.
“I don’t think he (Maguire) is better than Kevin,” Tallis said on NRL 360.
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