Chris Fagan has joined Carlton as the Blues' new director of coaching for 2027 and beyond.
The champion coach departed Brisbane, where he had led since 2016, at the end of the 2026 season after securing a three-peat of premierships with the Lions.
Fagan comfortably sits among the all-time greats of AFL coaches and will now impart his wisdom and experience on the Blues, and in particular new coach Josh Fraser.
"While I loved my 10 years as a senior coach, this is a role I am passionate about and where I know I can have a real impact in this next phase of my football career," Fagan said.
"Supporting people to get the absolute best out of themselves is what I love most about football, so the chance to now be able to do that on a full-time basis is incredibly exciting.
"I can't wait to connect with each person in the football department, and in particular work closely with Josh to help every coach and player be the best Carlton person they can possibly be.
"In all my conversations with Rob (Priestley), Graham (Wright), Chris (Davies) and Josh before accepting the role, what resonated strongly was how aligned they were on how to make Carlton a great football club.
"They shared a clear vision of evolving Carlton into a club that can contend but most importantly, they understand there is still significant work to do to get there.
"To have the senior leadership of a football club share such clarity in their direction, combined with a role that gives me genuine purpose, makes joining Carlton an opportunity too good to pass up."
The Blues have not made it to a Grand Final since 1995, with their closest recent attempt being a run to the Preliminary Final in 2023.
In 2026, under interim-turned-senior-coach Fraser, Carlton finished with a record of 12-1-3 and showed great versatility and skill across the ground.
With Fagan behind him, Fraser and the Blues will be hoping to find the path to their first flag in more than three decades as soon as next season.
