Steve Renouf's startling Allan Langer claim after Broncos legend leaves coaching role
Renouf says the decision to move Langer out of his coaching role was made before Maguire joined.
Queensland legend Steve Renouf has sensationally claimed the Broncos decided to remove Allan Langer from the coaching team well before they even decided to appoint Michael Maguire as coach. Langer had been working as a Broncos trainer for years and the former halfback was reportedly rocked at former coach and good friend Kevin Walters' axing.
The 58-year-old has long been considered part of the furniture at the Broncos, with NRL fans accustomed to the legendary player running on the field and barking orders at players. However, after Walters was sacked and Maguire was handed the reins, many believed the new coach had a role to play in the club legend no longer being part of the coaching team. But Renouf claims Maguire had very little say in the matter.
"The club are smart about how they do it, they made out that Madge made the call to get rid of Alfie after Kevvie left, but that call was made weeks before Madge got there," Renouf told foxports.com.au. "But it’s happened and I want the club to do well and the team to play better and I think it’ll work out well for them.
"They’ve been under the pump with Ezra so now it’s a great feeling for the club that we’ve got Benny Hunt. Keep Reyno out there and Payne Haas and there's no reason we can’t be in the top four."
Allan Langer says new role is a great change of pace
Langer has since transitioned into a new corporate role for the Broncos and will no longer feature at training or on game day. The club great, in an interview earlier this month, said he felt like he needed a change of pace.
"After a long year, I just felt like I needed a change,” Langer said. “I went to see (CEO) Dave (Donaghy) and I explained that at this stage of my life and with the changes at the club, it was just the right time.
“It’s a new and exciting role. I’ve come to know a lot of the Broncos partners, corporates and members well over the last 30-plus years and catching up with them is something I’ve always really enjoyed. It will also give me more time to spend with Janine and the family and my grandkids in particular, which is important to me."
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Brent Tate says Michael Maguire has already made his mark
Broncos premiership winner Brent Tate says Maguire has already begun to turn things around at Red Hill. Maguire is well known for his hard-nosed coaching style and for instilling discipline and work ethic into players. And Tate says the early signs are promising as players have clearly bought into his philosophy.
“Just listening to the players, I’ve been really impressed with hearing what (Reece) Walsh said about growing up and becoming a man and where he wants to take his footy career,” Tate said. "Even Reyno, the last couple of days, I think there’s a bit of a different language coming out of there, to be honest. I don’t think it’s lip service, I reckon there’s a genuineness that’s been spoken over the last couple of weeks."
