The Brisbane Broncos have shocked the NRL world with the announcement of Michael Maguire as their new head coach for the next three seasons.
Maguire is now officially a journeyman in the coaching arena, with stints in the Super League, the Melbourne Storm, the Rabbitohs, the Wests Tigers, the New Zealand national side, the New South Wales Blues and now the Brisbane Broncos.
Though the signing of the man they call ‘Madge’ seems like a big win for the Broncos, it’s said that the NSWRL (New South Wales Rugby League) are anything but thrilled.
Maguire successfully helmed the New South Wales Blues in their 2024 campaign, coaching them to a dramatic win over the Maroons and bringing the best out of the squad.
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It seemed that the Blues would now have an upper hand for many years to come, until Queensland managed to steal that advantage back.
The NSWRL released Maguire from the final year of his contract, meaning that he would be relieved of his 2025 duties with the Blues so he could take over at the Broncos for the departing Kevin Walters.
Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler revealed that the Blues are “not happy” with Maguire and the Broncos for the way the situation unfolded.
It’s speculated that the Broncos and Maguire had begun negotiations as far back as a month ago, which was well before Walters had received his marching orders from the club.
"They like to make the point that Michael Maguire wanted a two-year deal and they are not happy he pushed for that and then is leaving," Danny Weidler said on 100% Footy.
"They're not happy because he did such a good job and now he's left them in a bit of a position. They say they needed more information earlier.
"Since the news came out, there's mail that this decision was made (by the Broncos to split with Walters) four weeks ago, where they started to make proper inquiries and proper conversations.”
Maguire officially takes the reign at the struggling Brisbane club from today.
Bryce Webster