‘The right time’: Fagan confirms Lions exit after three-straight flags
Updated . First published at
Brisbane Lions head coach Chris Fagan has informed the club he will retire, less than a week after leading the side to a third-straight AFL premiership.
Fagan told players and staff of his decision on Thursday prior to the club’s best and fairest awards night.
Lions coach Chris Fagan. Getty Images
The 65-year-old had a year to run on his deal at the Lions, but has opted to step away and will join Lachie Neale as a major departure from the club.
Neale has elected to join Collingwood for 2027 as an unrestricted free agent, ending a stellar tenure at the Lions that included two Brownlow Medal wins.
Fagan won 148 of his 243 games in charge of the Lions, taking over in 2017 and lifting them from the bottom of the AFL ladder to a dominant force.
“I’ve been thinking about this for some time and I’m comfortable that now is the right time,” he said in a club 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 especially want to thank Ursula and my daughters Jessica and Ellen for their incredible support over the journey, they have backed me through thick and thin.
“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.
“This club has never been in greater shape, and the list profile would suggest this. 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. 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 and be successful. To see the club develop onfield from cellar dwellers to three-time premiers has been amazing. The Lions are the sum of our parts and everyone has played their role.”
The retiring coach never played football at the top level, but spent time at both Melbourne and Hawthorn in various roles. Fagan was a key member of Alastair Clarkson‘s staff for the Hawks’ three-peat from 2013 to 2015.
He now stands alongside the legendary Leigh Matthews as a three-time flag-winning coach with Brisbane.
