Chris Fagan will return to Victoria after stepping down as Brisbane coach after securing a third AFL flag on the bounce with a stunning 2026 grand final triumph over Fremantle.
The 65-year-old told the Lions on Thursday he would not return for an 11th season at the helm, despite having a year to run 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 over concerns he didn’t have the required energy to remain 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, arrived at Brisbane in 2016 and won just 10 games in his first two seasons.
He then proceeded to shepherd the club to eight straight finals berths and four consecutive grand final appearances.
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The Lions had 148 wins, 93 losses and two draws across his 243-game tenure, leaving Fagan with a better record than fellow Lions three-peat coach Leigh Matthews (142 wins, 92 losses, three draws in 237 games).
His departure means the Lions must find a new senior coach to lead their quest for a historic four-peat, a feat unseen in the VFL/AFL since Collingwood from 1927-30.
Brisbane football boss, Danny Daly, who left a career in banking to join Collingwood in 2000 before stints at North Melbourne and Richmond, has confirmed a desire to become a senior coach.
He has previously knocked back interest from Gold Coast, Collingwood, Essendon, West Coast and Melbourne.
Fagan had been talking up backline coach Dale Morris, who was the one to suggest using “Wharfie Time” to motivate the Lions if the Dockers reached for the button in the grand final.
Daly also floated midfield coach Cameron Bruce as another possible replacement, while pointing to an increasing trend around the league for clubs to select young first-time assistant coaches.
Fagan has indicated he will not suggest a replacement to the club and that he wants to stay in football, in some shape or form.