Source : ABC NEWS
Chris Fagan has told the Brisbane Lions he is stepping down as coach following the club’s third-straight AFL premiership success.
The 65-year-old led Brisbane to a stunning 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) victory against Fremantle on Saturday.
However, he told the club he wanted to step away from the final year of his contract to be closer to his family.
“I’ve been thinking about this for some time and I’m comfortable that now is the right time for [my wife] Ursula and I to return to Melbourne,” Fagan said in a statement.
“Telling the players and football staff today was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life.
“Together, we have been on a mission to make the Lions the most entertaining and competitive team in the competition, and we have done that.
“I was grateful to be given the role to coach the club, and it has been an incredible ride.
“This job is all-encompassing; I’ve given it my absolute all and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, but now is the right time to go.”
Fagan coached the Lions to the second premiership three-peat in the club’s history. (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Michael Willson)
Fagan took charge of the Lions in 2017, and leaves having coached 243 games with a winning record of 61.32 per cent.
This year, he passed legendary Lions coach Leigh Matthews as having coached the most games for the club.
The former school teacher was also part of the Hawthorn coaching staff as the club also won a three-peat of flags from 2013–2015 as well playing a role in their 2008 triumph.
In total, Fagan led the Lions in eight-straight finals series after claiming the wooden spoon in his opening season, winning just five games in each of his first two seasons.
Saturday’s stunning come-from-behind triumph was the Lions’ third-successive victory in a decider after beating Sydney and Geelong over the past two years.
He also led the Lions to the 2023 grand final, falling four points short of Collingwood.
Fagan speaking to his Lions players during his first season in charge. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
Brisbane Lions chair Andrew Wellington hailed Fagan for his “unwavering commitment” to helping others achieve their goals.
“Chris arrived at our club with a clear view of what good people, strong relationships and shared belief could achieve,” Wellington said.
“His influence has reached far beyond the Brisbane Lions. Chris has helped strengthen football across Queensland, inspired a new generation of players and supporters, and earned the respect of the wider football public for the way he has carried himself through success and adversity.”
Chief executive Sam Graham said the club respected Fagan’s decision and that steps would be taken to appoint a new coach “in due course”.
“Chris has played a massive role in the transformation of this club both on and off the field,” he said.
“While we would have loved nothing more for him to continue on, he has earned the right to call time when he was ready, and we’re pleased he’s going out on top.
“Chris’s achievements speak for themselves, but his greatest legacy is the environment he created, the people he developed and how he has nurtured this playing group.”
Leigh Mathews (left) congratulates Chris Fagan after Saturday’s grand final. (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Darrian Traynor)
His departure means the Lions will have to look for a new coach to help a stacked playing list attempt to win the first AFL/VFL four-peat since the Collingwood team of 1927–30.
Possible internal candidates include Brisbane’s football boss Danny Daly, senior assistant coach Cameron Bruce or backline coach Dale Morris.
Former league head coaches Nathan Buckley, Adam Simpson and Simon Goodwin have also been proposed as possible replacements.
“This club has never been in greater shape, and the list profile would suggest this,” Fagan said.
“The boys will continue to contend, and I’ll be their number-one fan, but a fresh face at the helm will be a key pillar for the players to come back to next season as they work hard to achieve more success.
“I’ll miss the club and it will feel strange not to be involved, but for the last 10 years I’ve thought about nothing other than how we can improve, get better and be successful.
“To see the club develop on field from cellar dwellers to three-time premiers has been amazing.
“The Lions are the sum of our parts and everyone across the club has played their role.”
