Telling Michael Maguire move towards Broncos old boys called out after Allan Langer snub
The new Brisbane Broncos coach has made a career-defining move at his new club.
Michael Maguire has made arguably his biggest move at Brisbane having opted to drop Allan Langer from the training team and the move is set to further anger the Broncos old boys. On Thursday it was confirmed Langer will not continue in his coaching role in 2025 with Maguire suggesting the club legend will take on another role at the club.
However, this remains to be seen with Langer reportedly 'shattered' after friend and former teammate Kevin Walters was axed as head coach in controversial circumstances. And Maguire's relationship with the Broncos old boys has been raised once again after his public run-in with Gorden Tallis.
Speaking on Triple M Radio, reporter Brent Read suggested Maguire has come in and moved the furniture at the club to suit his needs. This isn't necessarily a bad thing with the Broncos finishing 12th in 2024 and also dealing with a number of post-season controversies.
"He is not completely out of the Broncos, he won't be the trainer anymore. He has done it for years and has built up quite the reputation. But I think the writing was one the wall when they moved on from Kevvie," Read said of Maguire's decision.
"Madge does want to keep him involved in the club in some capacity....Bit of an end of an era for the Broncos." Although Read suggested Maguire will be facing an 'uphill battle' to win over the likes of Tallis and Shane Webcke after removing a club legend in Langer from his role at the Broncos.
"Madge was battling on that front anyway. Madge is fighting an uphill battle there regardless, and this decision will upset some old boys, like the move on from Kevvie did...if they don't win and they start poorly the pressure is going to intensify," Read added. "It's a significant move and it's going to upset some people, but Madge is going to do it his way."
On Friday morning, Broncos great Corey Parker added to the development and claimed Maguire was 'stamping his authority' at the club and a strong leader was needed. Parker claimed fans could get accustomed to more head strong decisions from the new coach who won't be worried about ruffling feathers if it means getting results.
Michael Maguire ruffles feathers of Broncos old boys
Maguire was already told to 'forget' Tallis' number when he joined the club and a run-in between the pair didn't seem to go to plan with the former Broncos forward reportedly snubbing the new coach. According to reports from the News Corp, Tallis was walking back from a promotional event at Sydney's Accor Stadium when he bumped into Maguire and his wife Joelle.
The Broncos legend revealed that Maguire was keen for a catch up and a coffee but Tallis told him, "I don’t drink coffee", and rejected the offer. Tallis wasn't the only critical Broncos great of Maguire's appointment in place of Walters.
Former enforcer Webcke was critical of Maguire moving in from the position of NSW coach to Brisbane leader having defended Walters' results. “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.”
Michael Maguire seeks new role for Allan Langer
Speaking on the pivotal coaching team decision, Maguire claimed Langer would still be around the club even though he won't be wearing the trainer jersey going forward. “Alf will be in the organisation,” Maguire told The Courier Mail.
"I haven’t really had a chance to see him properly yet, but I have spoken to Alf over the phone and he’s a great man. I’ve been able to spend some time with him over the years. Now that I’m moving up, I want to sit down with Alf and see how best it all fits in together.
"He’s obviously one of the greats of the club and such a popular figure in the game. I think everyone enjoys Alf, but it’s just best how we put our program together. I’m looking forward to sitting down with him over the next couple of weeks to talk about where he fits in. Alf can play so many different parts within the Broncos organisation."
