Chris Fagan will return to Victoria after stepping down as Brisbane coach following back-to-back AFL premierships, including a stunning 2026 grand final victory over Fremantle.
At 65 years old, Fagan informed the Lions on Thursday that he would not return for an eleventh season, despite having one year remaining on his contract.
“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,” Fagan said in a statement.
“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.”
In the lead up to Brisbane’s seven-point grand final victory over the Dockers, Fagan admitted he was considering his future due to concerns about whether he had the required energy to continue as senior coach.
“I’m comfortable that now is the right time for Ursula and I to return to Melbourne to be closer to our family,” he said.
“Telling the players and football staff today was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. I was grateful to be given the role to coach the club, and it has been an incredible ride.”
Fagan, who never played the game at the top level, joined Brisbane in 2016 and won just 10 games in his first two seasons.
He then guided the club to eight consecutive finals appearances and four straight grand final berths.
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During his 243-game tenure, the Lions recorded 148 wins, 93 losses and two draws, leaving Fagan with a superior record compared to fellow Lions three-peat coach Leigh Matthews (142 wins, 92 losses, three draws in 237 games).
His departure means the Lions must identify a new senior coach to pursue a historic four-peat—an achievement not seen in the VFL/AFL since Collingwood’s 1927-30 run.
Brisbane football boss Danny Daly, who transitioned from banking to join Collingwood in 2000 before stints at North Melbourne and Richmond, has expressed interest in becoming a senior coach.
He has previously declined interest from Gold Coast, Collingwood, Essendon, West Coast and Melbourne.
Fagan had recently advocated for backline coach Dale Morris, who proposed using “Wharfie Time” as motivation for the Lions during the grand final against the Dockers.
Daly also mentioned midfield coach Cameron Bruce as a potential successor, noting the growing trend across the league of clubs selecting young first-time assistant coaches.
Fagan stated he will not recommend a replacement to the club but intends to remain involved in football in some capacity.
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