‘Think I’ll move back...’: Fagan’s big reveal on next move as triple flag coach weighs up future

Three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan says he’d want to stay involved in AFL footy, likely back in Melbourne, as he weighs up walking away from Brisbane.

Fagan is considering going out on top after a third-straight Lions flag and 10 seasons in charge of the club.

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The 65-year old will use the coming days to determine his next move and whether he still has the energy to coach at the top level for another year.

“It’s something I’m thinking about over the next few days, to be honest. I’ve had 10 great years,” Fagan said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“Football coaching is incredibly enjoyable, but it’s also relentless in its pressure and the responsibility you have. I’ve done nothing but think about football and the Brisbane Lions for the last 10 years. It sort of takes a lot of energy out of you.

“I’ve got to make sure if I do continue on, I do have the right amount of energy to give to the job. Because that’s what it requires.

“I’m extremely happy with what we’ve been able to achieve so far. But I do want to think about it, because I don’t want to be that coach that hangs around for too long, and in the end, I get the sack.

“I’m sort of in that position now where I can potentially make a call, either now or next year, and feel like I’ve done a decent job.”

Fagan says he recently alerted Lions chief executive Sam Graham, chairman Andrew Wellington and footy boss Danny Daly about the possibility of finishing up.

And while the club is “very, very keen” for Fagan to continue into the last year of his contract in 2027, the Brisbane coach says it’s not the first time he’s considered departing.

If Fagan does decide to call it, he’d look to return to Melbourne to be closer to family rather than remain in a different Lions role, but stay in clubland.

“I just want to think about it thoroughly. I thought about not continuing when we won our first flag, then again last year. I’m riding my luck a bit at the moment,” he said.

“I just want to sit down and have a bit of clear air and have a good think through it and make a good decision. I know you’re a long time retired.

“To be honest, if I don’t coach again, I want to stay in footy in some way, shape or form. It’s more just being the head coach and having that responsibility all the time as the thing that weighs on you.

“If I don’t continue with Brisbane, I think I’ll move back to Melbourne to be around my daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids.

“So yeah, if it was to be if I was to be involved in footy, it’d be back in Melbourne doing something.”

Even after 10 years at Brisbane and three flags, Fagan says he preferred his more low-key role as Alastair Clarkson’s right-hand man at Hawthorn.

“I always enjoyed my role at Hawthorn where I was more looking out for ‘Clarko’ and working in the background a bit more,” Fagan continued.

“That sort of role is probably where I probably feel most comfortable. Which, is probably a ridiculous thing to say when I’ve just been a senior coach for 10 years.

“I’m just telling you the truth about myself; I like to be that one out, one back person, preferably. Maybe there might be something there for me.

“If I don’t continue on with Brisbane, I’ll be unemployed! I don’t know whether there’s anything else out there for me.”

On Fox Footy’s On the Couch, Jon Ralph reported Tasmania would be heavily interested in bringing Fagan onto its board should he return to Melbourne, similar to Leigh Matthews’ current gig at Brisbane.

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