Brisbane's Chris Fagan has called time on his coaching career just days after securing an extraordinary three-peat of premierships.
Fagan told Lions bosses in the past 24 hours that he will not be continuing his role at the club, which has been heavily speculated over the past fortnight.
“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.
“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 was grateful to be given the role to coach the Club, and it has been an incredible ride.
“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."
Fagan himself has been transparent about the challenges of being an AFL senior coach and how they have affected him, especially over the past four years.
He alluded to the physical and mental toll of the position earlier in the week, including the length of seasons at Brisbane amidst eight consecutive September appearances and four straight grand finals.
Fagan has coached the Lions since he took over in 2017, leading the club in 243 games for 148 wins.
Highly-regarded Brisbane people Cameron Bruce and Danny Daly immediately loom as potential replacements as the club is set to embark on a four-peat.
Fagan has confirmed his desire to remain in football as he looks to move to Melbourne to be closer to his family.
He has ties to Tasmania, while a host of clubs would certainly assess his desire to remain in the AFL.
Fagan is one of just seven coaches to win a three-peat. He is the only coach who did not play at V/AFL level to win a flag at the elite level.
