Chris Fagan Steps Down as Brisbane Lions Coach After Premiership Success

Chris Fagan has stepped down as coach of the Brisbane Lions, following the club's third consecutive AFL premiership win. The 65-year-old led the team to a thrilling 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) victory over Fremantle on Saturday.

Fagan cited a desire to be closer to his family as the reason for his departure, telling the club he wanted to step away from the final year of his contract. He will be relocating to Melbourne with his wife, Ursula.

"I've been thinking about this for some time and I'm comfortable that now is the right time for [my wife] Ursula and I to return to Melbourne," Fagan said in a statement.

"Telling the players and football staff today was one of the hardest things I've done in my life," he added.

Fagan has coached the Lions since 2017 and leaves with a winning record of 61.32 per cent from 243 games. He led the team to their second premiership three-peat in the club's history.

"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.

"I was grateful to be given the role to coach the club, and it has been an incredible ride," he added.

Brisbane Lions chair Andrew Wellington praised Fagan for his "unwavering commitment" to helping others achieve their goals.

"Chris arrived at our club with a clear view of what good people, strong relationships and shared belief could achieve," Wellington said.

Chief executive Sam Graham said the club respected Fagan's decision and would begin the process of appointing a new coach "in due course".

"Chris has played a massive role in the transformation of this club both on and off the field," Graham said.

Fagan's departure leaves the Lions with a coaching vacancy, with possible internal candidates including Danny Daly, Cameron Bruce, and Dale Morris. External candidates such as Nathan Buckley, Adam Simpson, and Simon Goodwin have also been suggested.

"This club has never been in greater shape, and the list profile would suggest this," Fagan said.

"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," he added.