"Hardest things I’ve done": Chris Fagan confirms Lions exit

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has stepped down from his position after winning a third premiership with the club.

The 65-year-old, who last week told SEN he was unsure of his immediate plans, announced his plans on Thursday afternoon before confirming that he and his wife would be returning to Melbourne.

Fagan has told Lions board members he is ready to step away after a history making run at the club.

“As you’ve come to know I’ve been thinking about this for some time and I’m comfortable that now is the right time for Ursula and I to return to Melbourne to be closer to our family,” Fagan said.

“Telling the players and football staff today was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life, together, we have been on a mission to make the Lions the most entertaining and competitive team in the competition, and we have done that. I was grateful to be given the role to coach the Club, and it has been an incredible ride.

“This job is all encompassing; I’ve given it my absolute all and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, but now is the right time to go.

“This Club has never been in greater shape, and the list profile would suggest this. The boys will continue to contend, and I’ll be their number one fan, but a fresh face at the helm will be a key pillar for the players to come back to next season, as they work hard to achieve more success."

Fagan took over at the Lions ahead of the 2017 season and coached the club in 243 games for 148 wins, two draws and 93 defeats.

His first two seasons yielded just 10 wins before he masterminded a finals appearance in 2019.

They’ve remained in September ever since, winning one final in 2020 and making the Preliminary Final that year, before bettering that in 2023.

The ’23 Grand Final loss to Collingwood spawned a new Lions dynasty with the club taking out the 2024 flag over Sydney, then again in 2025 over Geelong and completing the three-peat just last weekend against Fremantle.

“Ursula and I will really miss the City of Brisbane," Fagan continued. "We feel like from the time we arrived we’ve been embraced and made plenty of friends at the club and in our community. We will miss it a lot, and we really appreciate the support of everyone during our time here.

“I love how the fans have really embraced the team during my coaching tenure. To see the growth of footy across the State, our membership growth, big crowds filling the Gabba, the development of Brighton Homes Arena, which is far cry from our previous preseason situation, and with a new stadium in a few years the future looks bright.

“I’ll miss the club and it will feel strange not to be involved but for the last ten years I’ve thought about nothing other than how we can improve, get better and be successful. To see the Club develop onfield from cellar dwellers to three-time Premiers has been amazing.

“The Lions are the sum of our parts and everyone across the club has played their role.”

Fagan is one of just seven coaches to win a three-peat.

He is the only coach who did not play at V/AFL level to win a flag at the elite level.

The last long-time premiership coach to harmoniously depart after lifting the cup was Frank 'Checker' Hughes at Melbourne back in 1948.