Brisbane Lions triple premiership coach Chris Fagan has stepped down after 10 seasons, telling players and staff on Thursday that now is the right time to leave — with one year still left on his contract and days after the Lions’ Grand Final win over Fremantle.
According to AFL.com.au and a club statement carried by Nine’s Wide World of Sports, the 65-year-old informed the Lions of his decision on Thursday ahead of the club’s best and fairest awards night.
Fagan finishes with a record of 148 wins, 93 losses and two draws from 243 games, and stands alongside Leigh Matthews as a three-time premiership coach at Brisbane after Saturday’s dramatic Grand Final victory over Fremantle — covered by TSB in our Lions three-peat Grand Final report.
Fagan’s statement
“As you’ve come to know I’ve been thinking about this for some time and I’m comfortable that now is the right time for Ursula and I to return to Melbourne to be closer to our family,” Fagan said in the club statement published by AFL.com.au.
“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.
“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.”
Succession and the next chapter
AFL.com.au reported the Lions are expected to hold a press conference later on Thursday, and that the club must find a new coach if it is to chase a historic four-peat — a run not seen in the VFL/AFL since Collingwood from 1927–30.
Football boss Danny Daly has confirmed a desire to become a senior coach, while Fagan has also praised backline coach Dale Morris and floated midfield coach Cam Bruce as another possible option, AFL.com.au reported. Daly said he was “forever grateful” for their 10-year partnership and “really happy that Fages gets to leave on his terms, as a winner.”
The departure comes in the same off-season window as dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale’s move toward Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent, another major piece of Brisbane’s recent era shifting.
From cellar dwellers to three-peat
Fagan took over in 2017 after roles at Melbourne and as a key member of Alastair Clarkson’s Hawthorn staff during the Hawks’ three-peat from 2013 to 2015. He never played AFL football at the top level. After early lean seasons, Brisbane became a perennial finals side and now leave 2026 as three-time premiers.
“I’ll miss the club and it will feel strange not to be involved but for the last ten years I’ve thought about nothing other than how we can improve, get better and be successful,” Fagan said. “To see the Club develop on field from cellar dwellers to three-time Premiers has been amazing.”
TSB will update if the Lions name an interim or permanent successor, or if Fagan elaborates further at Thursday’s expected press conference.
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