Confirmed: Michael Maguire named as new NRL coach of the Broncos – as club great publicly LOUDLY questions his appointment

Michael Maguire is officially Brisbane’s new coach after being relieved of his duties with the NSW State of Origin side and confirming a three-year contract with the Broncos.

Just five days after the sacking of 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 at South Sydney, who was sacked by struggling Wests Tigers in mid-2021.

He has since won a Pacific Championships with New Zealand and an Origin series with NSW, before now returning to clubland with 2023 grand finalists Brisbane.

“The Broncos are one of the best clubs in rugby league and it will be an honor to step into the role of head coach,” Maguire said in a Brisbane club statement.

“The Broncos organization has high expectations for everything it does.

‘It has built a great history and shown the power of what a club can be and what it can do for fans.

“Playing my part in the grand vision of what the Broncos stand for is the exciting part for me.”

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis isn’t sold on the Maguire deal, but he’s convinced he’s no better option than Kevin Walters

Maguire’s immediate challenge in Brisbane will be to get the playing group on the same page, with questions about their attitudes following their defeat in last year’s grand final.

The club’s drop to 12th on the ladder this year 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 Broncos’ all-powerful old boys club.

Four years after Anthony Seibold marked their ‘agendas’ upon his departure from Brisbane in 2020, it is already clear that things will be difficult for another outsider.

Broncos legend Shane Webcke last week wondered why the club would fire Walters. Gordon Tallis also criticized the decision on Monday evening.

“I don’t think he (Maguire) is better than Kevin,” Tallis said on NRL 360.

“The people who run the club: Wayne Bennett wasn’t good enough, but he was good enough for Souths. And Peter V’landys wanted him to build a club.

‘Seibold, who did a great job at Manly, wasn’t good enough.

Maguire will also face challenges from the Broncos’ all-powerful old boys’ club (pictured, decorated prop Shane Webcke)

Kevin Walters was transferred after leading Brisbane to the final just once in his four-year tenure

‘Kevvie wasn’t good enough. They keep going with coaches. The club is not moving forward.

“Jack Gibson said winning starts at the front desk.”

Tallis also said Maguire should ‘lose his number’ as he wouldn’t be there to help him as he was officially employed by the Titans.

Meanwhile, Maguire’s departure puts the Blues back in top spot after only appointing him as State of Origin coach last summer.

Maguire had spoken about his plans for NSW in 2025 at a lunch on Friday, but on Saturday morning he had informed NSWRL chairman Paul Conlon of his interest in the Broncos’ role.

At a snap board meeting on Monday, the decision was made to release Maguire from his contract before the paperwork was completed overnight.

Maguire becomes the first Blues coach since Terry Fearnley in 1985 to leave the role immediately after winning his first series.

“The NSW Rugby League Board has agreed to a request by Michael Maguire to be immediately released from his contract,” the NSWRL said in a statement.

“The organization would like to recognize a successful tenure by Michael Maguire, which culminated in winning the 2024 State of Origin series.

‘We wish Michael and his family all the best for the future. NSWRL will commence a recruitment process to appoint a new coach in due course.”

Paul McGregor looms as a possible option, while the likes of Danny Buderus, John Cartwright and Andrew Johns have been on the Blues’ staff in recent years.