Brisbane Broncos director and club legend Darren Lockyer has raised fresh speculation about a possible coaching change after the team’s underwhelming start to the 2025 NRL season.
The Broncos have won just five of their 12 matches so far, leaving fans and commentators questioning the future of head coach Michael Maguire.
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Maguire, who replaced Kevin Walters at the beginning of the year, has faced a challenging initiation to his tenure. Despite veteran journalist Paul Crawley describing him as the “safest coach in the NRL” on NRL 360, Lockyer’s recent comments suggest patience may be wearing thin.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER program, Lockyer was candid when asked about Maguire’s position if the Broncos fail to make the finals this year.
“If we don’t make the top eight, given what we thought at the start of the year and the early signs, then that would be a disappointment,”
Lockyer said, hinting that missing the finals could put Maguire’s job at risk.
Despite his frank remarks, Lockyer remains hopeful that the team can still turn things around. He acknowledged the adjustment period the players are experiencing under Maguire’s different coaching style compared to his predecessor.
“He’s got a different approach to the coach before him in Kevvy,” Lockyer explained. “There were signs that they looked like they had adjusted early [in the year] but they’re going through a bit of a clunky period at the minute.”
Maguire is currently contracted for three years, but Lockyer’s remarks, coupled with the club’s mixed results, fuel ongoing debate about the coach’s long-term future. History shows that contracts in the NRL offer little job security; recent seasons have seen multiple coaches such as Kevin Walters, Tim Sheens, Jason Demetriou, and Trent Barrett dismissed prematurely.
With other coaches like Brad Arthur, Sam Burgess, and Des Hasler reportedly on the market, Maguire’s position as the “safest coach” in the league may soon be challenged if the Broncos do not improve their form.
As the Broncos face mounting pressure to salvage their 2025 campaign, all eyes will be on their performances in the coming rounds—and whether Darren Lockyer’s hints about a coaching change will become reality.
