Michael Maguire flanked by Blues players Spencer Leniu (left) and Angus Crichton after NSW sealed the State of Origin title in July. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
The former Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has been confirmed as the new coach of NRL side the Brisbane Broncos on a three-year deal.
Maguire succeeds Kevin Walters, who was dismissed after four years in the job after the Broncos missed the finals, ending the 2024 season in 12th position.
It means Maguire will step down immediately from his current role as coach of the New South Wales State of Origin side.
He will start immediately with the Broncos and have a month to prepare for the 2025 preseason, which starts in early November.
Maguire, who led the Blues to an Origin series win over Queensland this year, is an experienced coach, having earned a premiership with South Sydney in addition to a Super League title with Wigan and spending time at Wests Tigers and six years in charge of New Zealand.
Michael Maguire was appointed Kiwis coach in 2018. Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018
His club record as a coach is 303 games coached for 167 wins, while his win-loss record at representative level is 21 games coached for 14 wins.
In a statement, 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.
"We are looking forward to Michael supporting our football program as they get to work on preparations for 2025."
In the club statement, Maguire said Brisbane was a great club and it would be "an honour to step into the role of head coach".
"The Broncos organisation has a high expectation on everything it does," Maguire said.
"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."
- ABC