New Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has mentioned his desire to win another competition as the key reason for leaving NSW and returning to the NRL.
Maguire was officially introduced as the Broncos’ head coach on a three-year contract at the Brisbane club’s offices on Tuesday, along with CEO Dave Donaghy.
He takes up the role after being relieved from his duties with the Blues’ State of Origin side.
His appointment comes just five days after Brisbane dismissed club veteran Kevin Walters.
On Thursday, Broncos management informed Walters that his term as coach had ended.
Maguire stated he enjoyed Origin coaching “a lot” but wished to be a club coach again.
“I am a career coach,” he explained.
“I love the daily stuff and my last campaign in the Origin — it was an incredible experience — but I’ve missed having players around me daily, and that’s what I’ve got a lot out of living as a coach,” he told reporters.
Maguire’s appointment is a spectacular turnaround for the 2014 premiership winner, who was let go by the failing Wests Tigers in the middle of 2021.
He has since won a Pacific Championship with New Zealand and an Origin series with New South Wales, before returning to club land with 2023 grand champions Brisbane.
“It did happen quick, but clubs move and circumstances happen,” says Maguire.
“I am tremendously hungry to win another competition.
“I just see the opportunities and the ability of what a club like the Broncos can be — [and] you can get pretty close to it.”
Maguire’s immediate issue in Brisbane will be to bring the playing group together, with doubts swirling about their attitude after losing the grand final last year.
Despite having one of the NRL’s most star-studded squads, the club’s plummet to 12th place this season was one of the greatest in premiership history.
Maguire is also likely to face opposition from the Broncos’ formidable old boys club.
Four years after Anthony Seibold mentioned their “agendas” on his way out of Brisbane in 2020, it is evident that things will be challenging for another foreigner.
Last week, Broncos legend Shane Webcke 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 remarked on NRL 360.
“The people in charge of the club—Wayne Bennett wasn’t good enough, but he was good enough for Souths.”
“Seibold, who had done an excellent job at Manly, was not good enough.
“Kevvie was not good enough. They continue to move on coaches. “The club will not move forward.”
Maguire grinned through inquiries about Brisbane’s old boys, claiming he had a strong relationship with Tallis.
His departure puts NSW back at square one, having only appointed him Origin coach last summer.
Maguire talked at a luncheon on Friday about his ambitions for NSW in 2025, but by Saturday morning, he had notified NSWRL chairman Paul Conlon of his interest in the Broncos position.
A snap board meeting on Monday decided to dismiss Maguire from his contract.
Maguire is the only Blues coach since Terry Fearnley in 1985 to leave his position immediately after winning his debut series.
“We wish Michael and his family the best in the future. The NSWRL will launch a recruiting process to find a new coach in due time, according to a statement.
Paul McGregor is a prospective candidate, as are Danny Buderus, John Cartwright, and Andrew Johns, who have all worked for the Blues in recent years.
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