Chris Fagan steps down as Brisbane Lions coach after three straight flags

sportsOct 1, 20262074

Chris Fagan has stepped down as Brisbane Lions coach days after leading the club to a third-straight AFL premiership, telling the club he wanted to be closer to his family. The 65-year-old guided Brisbane to a 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) grand final win over Fremantle and leaves after 10 seasons and a club-record 243 games in charge. Fagan coached 243 games with 148 wins for a winning percentage of about 61.3 and this year passed Leigh Matthews as the club's record games coach. Fagan took over the Lions in 2017 when they won five games and finished last, then oversaw eight straight finals appearances and four consecutive grand finals from 2023. Brisbane praised Fagan's role transforming the club, said it respects his decision, and confirmed steps will be taken to appoint a new coach in due course. Fagan said he and his wife Ursula plan to return to Melbourne and that leaving the players and staff was one of the hardest things he has done.

Rohan Connolly

@rohanconnolly65.bsky.social

You could tell after the GF Chris Fagan was going to call it a day. But what a note to go out on, a flag hat-trick! He's helped rewrite the AFL coaching manual. You DON'T have to have played at the elite level & you CAN be a decent bloke. Congrats Fages, you deserve all the plaudits! #chrisfagan

486h ago

Luke Foley

@lukefoley.me

For a bloke who never played football at the highest level what Chris Fagan achieved in his coaching career as an assistant and as head coach is nothing short of extraordinary. What a legend.

104h ago

Kate-Eviva4

Seriously amazing man. He has definitely been one of the reasons to watch the Lions play.

André Brett2

Whoever follows him at Brisbane has some of the biggest shoes to fill in footy history

Trjn1

Genuinely bizarre feeling as a Lions fan. I don’t want him to retire but he’s absolutely earned this.

ABC News Bot (unofficial)

@abcnewsbot.bsky.social

AFL premiership-winning coach Chris Fagan has stepped down from the club days after securing a third-straight grand final victory.

36h ago

Jessica D. M. 🇺🇦 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇵🇦 🇬🇱 🪃 🟧

@jessicaperthwa.bsky.social

Fagan steps down as Brisbane coach after 10 years and three flags - www.afl.com.au/news/1625919 #AFL It's a shame, however good on him

46h ago

ABC News Australia

@news.abc.net.au

Chris Fagan took a weary Brisbane Lions side from the bottom right to the very top of the AFL

35h ago

Glenn Peters

@nightwatchman.bsky.social

Chris Fagan. Incredible coach. Love to know more about how he did it.

26h ago

All Local Teams

@alllocalteams.bsky.social

Brisbane Today AFL veteran's move from Lions to Magpies confirmed alllocalteams.com/c/au/brisbane

112h ago

Cricket By Pat

@cricketbypat.bsky.social

The 2026 AFL Grand Final set the stage between the most successful club of the 21st century against a team that had never reached the summit. The Brisbane Lions, were chasing immortality while Fremantle were daring to dream. pathannah.substack.com/p/a-fitting-... #AFL #Brisbane #Fremantle

1Yesterday

Zero Hanger

@zerohanger.bsky.social

Brisbane triple premiership coach Chris Fagan has made a call on his career. DETAILS >>> zerohanger.com/tjynn #AFL

16h ago

Stonecold Steve Baker — Afternoon nap advocate

@dickierock.bsky.social

Chris Fagan "Costanzas" his time as an AFL coach. Goes out on top, and leaves the room wanting more

16h ago

AusNewsToday

@ausnewstoday.bsky.social

Chris Fagan steps down at the Lions days after a third straight flag, with a year left on his deal manual reddit.com/r/AusNewsToday #ausnews

5h ago

The Age (unofficial)

@theage.nzcow.com

📢 The free agent and dual Brownlow medallist told the Lions of his intentions the day after he and his premiership teammates were feted at a public fan event in Brisbane.

Yesterday