Lions GM reveals "desire" to step in if Fagan departs

With three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan yet to settle on his future, Brisbane GM Danny Daly has spoken on the prospect of stepping into the role if Fagan departs.

After claiming a historic third-straight premiership with the Lions, Chris Fagan yesterday confirmed that he is yet to decide whether he will go on into next season despite being contracted until the end of 2027.

Daly, who joined the club as the head of football in 2020, has long been considered a potential candidate for a senior coaching role, turning down several opportunities to step into the hot seat in order to remain alongside Fagan at the Lions.

Now, with 65-year-old Fagan flirting with the idea of a dream ending, Daly has confirmed his desire to become a senior coach, weighing up his future if Fagan is to depart.

“Yeah, I’d like to think (I can be a senior coach),” Daly told SEN.

“I’m a bit like Fages in terms of, you still battle a little bit with belief and the fact that you haven’t played the game at the highest level.

“I’d like to think that I potentially could be, but the way that footy is working at the minute – it goes around in round abouts.

“There was a stage there where it was all about, Fages has set the trend, let’s go for the older guy. But it seems to be now that it’s all about going for the first-time young assistant coaches into the coaching role.

“There is a little bit of a desire there, yeah.”

When questioned over the prospect of transitioning into Fagan’s empty seat if he were to leave, Daly stated that the decision is purely up to the club itself.

“Potentially, but that’s a decision for the footy club about what direction they want to go in,” he said.

“I’m not sure what life would be like without Fages, to be fair, so I might have to decide a few things myself!

“Again, at the end of the day, it’s what’s best for the football club moving forward.

“Whether that’s myself or someone like a Cam Bruce or Dale Morris (club assistants), or getting someone new in, that’ll be their decision and I’ll be happy with whatever they decide.”

In years past, Daly has turned down requests to join opposition clubs, rejecting all of potential coaching vacancies with Melbourne and West Coast, as well as offers from Gold Coast and Collingwood to take over as head of football.

Asked why he opted against so many prospective senior roles, Daly reflected on his loyalty to the Lions, which has been served to the highest order.

“I think one of the greatest qualities I’ve got is loyalty,” he continued.

“It’s very hard to leave an organisation that’s going so well and also to leave Fages.

“We started the journey together and it’s been an unbelievable journey, with what we’ve been able to achieve.

“There’s probably just been a little bit about me, loyalty.”

Daly’s loyalty could pay off significantly, currently the favourite to take over the senior coaching role at Brisbane if Fagan does decide to call it quits.