State of Origin: Michael Maguire released from NSW contract, confirmed as Brisbane Broncos coach

Michael Maguire has been released by NSW. Photo / Getty Images

Michael Maguire has been announced as the Brisbane Broncos’ new coach, after his successful time in charge of NSW’s State of Origin team was officially ended.

NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) confirmed on Tuesday morning Maguire has been released from his role as Blues coach after only one season at the helm.

That allows him to replace Kevin Walters as Broncos coach, with an announcement expected as soon as Tuesday.

In doing so, Maguire becomes the first Blues coach since Terry Fearnley in 1985 to depart the role immediately after winning his first series.

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

“The organisation wishes to acknowledge a successful tenure on the part of Michael Maguire culminating in the 2024 State of Origin series win.

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

Maguire had spoken at a luncheon on Friday about his plans for NSW in 2025, as they attempted to back up this year’s rare series win in Queensland.

But by Saturday morning, he had informed NSWRL chairman Paul Conlon of his interest in the Broncos role.

Maguire’s immediate challenge at Brisbane will be to pull the Broncos playing group into line, with questions around their attitude following last year’s grand final run.

The club’s drop to 12th place on this year’s ladder marked one of the greatest slides in premiership history, despite them having one of the NRL’s most star-studded rosters.

Maguire is also bound to face challenges from within the Broncos’ all-powerful old boys club.

Four years after Anthony Seibold noted their “agendas” on his way out of Brisbane in 2020, it is already clear things will be difficult for another outsider.

Broncos legend Shane Webcke last week questioned why the club would sack Walters. Gorden Tallis also slammed the decision on Monday night.

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

“The people who are running 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 has done a great job at Manly, he wasn’t good enough.

“Kevvie wasn’t good enough. They keep on moving on coaches. The club is not going to move forward.

“Jack Gibson said winning starts in the front office.”

Tallis also claimed Maguire could “lose his number” because he would not be there to help him, given he was officially employed by the Titans.

Meanwhile, Maguire’s departure leaves the Blues back at square one after appointing him as State of Origin coach only last summer.

Paul McGregor looms as a potential option, while Danny Buderus, John Cartwright and Andrew Johns are among others who have been on the Blues’ staff in recent years.

There is the potential NSW could be looking for two coaches at once, with women’s Origin coach Kylie Hilder’s job also under the microscope.