- Michael Maguire, new coach of the Broncos in the NRL
- He has signed a three-year contract at Red Hill
- Gorden Tallis questions the appointment
Michael Maguire is officially Brisbane’s new coach, after he was relieved of his duties with the NSW State of Origin team and confirmed with a three-year contract with the Broncos.
Just five days after firing club legend Kevin Walters, the Broncos confirmed on Tuesday that Maguire would take over the team immediately ahead of the 2025 preseason.
Maguire’s appointment marks a shock turnaround for the 2014 premiership winner with South Sydney, who was sacked by the struggling Wests Tigers in mid-2021.
Since then, he won a Pacific Championship with New Zealand and an Origin series with New South Wales, before returning to club land with 2023 grand finalists Brisbane.
“The Broncos are one of the great clubs in rugby league and it will be an honor to take on the role of head coach,” Maguire said in a statement from the Brisbane club.
‘The Broncos organization has high expectations in everything it does.
“He has built a great history and has shown the strength of what a club can be and what it can mean to the fans.
“Playing my part in the grand vision of what the Broncos stand for is the most exciting part for me.”
Michael Maguire is officially the new Brisbane coach and signs a three-year contract with the Broncos
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis is unconvinced of Maguire’s appointment, convinced he is no better option than Kevin Walters.
Maguire’s immediate challenge in Brisbane will be to line up the playing group, with questions over his attitude following their grand final defeat last year.
The club’s drop to 12th in this year’s rankings marked one of the biggest drops in premiership history, despite having one of the NRL’s most star-studded squads.
Maguire will also face challenges from the all-powerful Broncos old boys club.
Four years after Anthony Seibold wrote down his ‘agenda’ upon leaving Brisbane in 2020, it’s already clear things will be tough for another outsider.
Broncos legend Shane Webcke last week questioned why the club would fire Walters. Gorden Tallis also criticized the decision on Monday night.
“I don’t think he (Maguire) is better than Kevin,” Tallis said on NRL 360.
‘The people running the club: Wayne Bennett wasn’t good enough, but he was good enough for Souths. And Peter V’landys wanted me to build a club.
‘Seibold, who has done a great job at Manly, wasn’t good enough.
Maguire will also face challenges from the all-powerful Broncos old boys club (pictured, decorated prop Shane Webcke)
Kevin Walters was overtaken after leading Brisbane to the finals just once in his four years in charge.
‘Kevvie wasn’t good enough. They continue moving forward in the coaches. The club is not going to move forward.
“Jack Gibson said winning starts in the front office”.
Tallis also said that Maguire should “lose his number” as he wouldn’t be there to help him, given that he was officially an employee of the Titans.
Meanwhile, Maguire’s departure leaves the Blues back at square one after appointing him State of Origin coach last summer.
Maguire had spoken at a lunch on Friday about his plans for New South Wales in 2025, but on Saturday morning he had informed NSWRL president Paul Conlon of his interest in the Broncos job.
An early board meeting on Monday resolved to release Maguire from his contract, before paperwork was completed overnight.
Maguire becomes the first Blues manager since Terry Fearnley in 1985 to step down immediately after winning their first series.
“The NSW Rugby League Board has accepted an application by Michael Maguire to be immediately released from his contract,” the NSWRL said in a statement.
‘The organization wishes to recognize a successful tenure by Michael Maguire which culminated in victory in the 2024 State of Origin series.
‘We wish Michael and his family the best for the future. NSWRL will commence a recruitment process to appoint a new coach in due course.’
Paul McGregor appears as a potential option, while Danny Buderus, John Cartwright and Andrew Johns are among others who have been on the Blues staff in recent years.