The NSWRL is “not happy” with how Michael Maguire’s announcement as Brisbane coach has played out, with claims that he started talks with the Broncos as long as four weeks ago .
The Broncos officially announced Maguire as their new coach on Tuesday morning. He will join the club on a three-year deal.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said: “Michael brings a wealth of experience across more than two decades of coaching and he has tasted success at club, state and international level.
READ MORE: Twist as Ricciardo thrown Red Bull lifeline
READ MORE: Slater not buying Cleary claim over ‘ticking time bomb’
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton’s sad revelation about private battle
“We are looking forward to Michael supporting our football program as they get to work on preparations for 2025.”
NSWRL also released a statement confirming the board had given the green light to release Maguire from his deal, but not without tension seeping into the final days of talks.
There are rumblings the premiership-winning coach had been approached four weeks ago by Brisbane powerbrokers.
Maguire fronted for a performance review regarding the Blues’ 2-1 series win over Billy Slater’s Queensland, and did not mention an approach from Brisbane when delivering the review to NSW bosses, 9News’ Danny Weidler reports.
“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,” Nine reporter Danny Weidler told Nine’s 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.
“It’s a fact Dave Donaghy used to work with Michael Maguire in Melbourne.”
Watch the 2024 NRL grand final live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Former Brisbane players weighed in on the appointment with Matt Gillett, Petero Civoniceva and Wally Lewis all expressing optimism about Maguire’s potential to take the Broncos to a premiership for the first time since 2006.
“There is one thing Madge has against him, he’s a New South Welshman,” Lewis said. “I think most of the fans will take to him but what will be most important is how the Broncos perform.”
But others have not been so pragmatic.
Club great Gorden Tallis, a strong supporter of Walters, stuck by his former teammate.
“I don’t think he (Maguire) is better than Kevin,” Tallis said on Fox League.
“The people who are running the club – Wayne Bennett wasn’t good enough but he was good enough for Souths and to build a new club 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’s not going to move forward.
“Jack Gibson said winning starts in the front office.”
When asked if he would offer assistance to the club under Maguire, Tallis was blunt.
“Lose my number brother,” Tallis said of helping Maguire.
“I’m a Titan. That’s actually not against Madge because Kevvie has asked me on about five occasions to go back and help and I knocked him back and he’s my good mate.
“So I’m never going back to the Broncos. That’s it. That’s full stop.”