Corey Parker lashes fellow Broncos legend over claim about top candidate to become next coach
The Brisbane Broncos appear to have someone in mind to be their next head coach.
Corey Parker has slammed claims from Shane Webcke that the Broncos shouldn't appoint Michael Maguire as their next coach because he's from NSW, describing them as "rubbish". Maguire has emerged as the front-runner to become Brisbane coach next year after the club parted ways with Kevin Walters on Wednesday night.
The Broncos have said they're keen to move quickly to appoint their next coach, and it's believed they have Maguire lined up after he applied for the role back in 2020 when Walters got it instead. It would mean Maguire would have to relinquish his role as NSW State of Origin coach after just one season in charge.
The fact that Maguire is from NSW and led the Blues to victory over Queensland in this year's Origin series rankled Broncos and Maroons legend Webcke when he was discussing Walters' departure this week. “Mate, he coaches NSW. Spare me that,” Webcke said on SEN radio. “I’ve got nothing against him, but did we get rid of Kevvie Walters for that? I don’t think so.”
Corey Parker smacks down Shane Webcke comments
But that suggestion has been blasted by fellow Broncos legend Parker, who believes his old club should appoint the best person for the job regardless of where they're from. “I think it’s rubbish,” Parker said on Friday.
“If you’re the best man for the job, you’re the best man for the job. There’s been some ex-players that have said you can’t have a NSW coach coaching the Broncos, but a number of years ago, they were headhunting Craig Bellamy, and he’s done both.”
Maguire is the favourite in a Yahoo Sport Australia fan poll about who should become the Broncos' next coach, garnering 30 per cent of the votes. Queenslanders Brad Thorn and Josh Hannay are also popular options, although over 20 per cent have selected 'someone else'.
Billy Slater rules himself out of Broncos coaching race
That someone else is likely to be Billy Slater, however the Queensland Origin coach has already ruled himself out of contention. Slater has previously stated he has no desire to be a full-time NRL coach, and it's believed he'd only change his mind if the Melbourne Storm job became available.
"That won't be happening," Slater said on Triple M radio on Friday when asked if he could possibly take the Broncos job. “I'm sure Dave Donaghy and the team at the Broncos will look at all possibilities that they could coach their footy team and they've obviously got someone in mind. But there'll be a number of candidates that throw their hat in the ring. The squad, there’s plenty of talent to coach and they made a grand final last year.”
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Slater previously said he has no desire to take on the workload required to be an NRL head coach, and much prefers the three-month role of being Queensland mentor in State of Origin. "If I’m not coaching Queensland, I’m not coaching anyone else,” Slater said earlier this year. “It’s not so much the pressure of the NRL job. I’m not worried about that. But it’s a huge commitment being an NRL coach - it’s an 11-month of the year, seven days a week job. I’ve been in and around the NRL environment for over two decades now. I understand what those NRL coaches put into it and it’s all in.
"Where I am at with my life and my family, I don’t foresee myself in the near future ever becoming an NRL coach. Maybe that changes down the track - you never say never - but I’m here to do my part for Queensland. I’m happy in this role and if I’m not the Queensland head coach, well, I’m not a coach.”
