Daley confirms Blues exit as legends endorse next coach

New South Wales legend Laurie Daley has confirmed he won’t coach the Blues again.

Daley confirmed on Sky Sports Radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning he is handing over the reins following a triumphant State of Origin series victory at Suncorp Stadium last month.

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“I committed to giving it everything I had for two years, and I did that wholeheartedly,” he said.

“I just feel like now is the right time for someone else to have the opportunity to lead this great state and team.”

Daley, 56, was last week forced to deny suggestions his health was a reason for giving up the gig.

He first coached the Blues for five series from 2013, winning the 2014 edition to break Queensland’s eight-year stranglehold on the coveted shield.

He returned to do the job in 2025 after Michael Maguire was appointed coach of the Broncos, having led the Blues to victory in his sole series in charge in 2024.

NSW lost what many thought to be an unlosable game in Sydney to surrender the trophy last year, and Daley was under immense pressure to bring it back south this year.

He succeeded, thanks to the Blues stunning the Maroons in a series decider in Brisbane.

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In paying tribute to Daley on Monday, NSW Rugby League boss Dave Trodden labelled the 2014 and 2026 victories “arguably two of the greatest Origin series wins of all time”.

“Those wins transcended football. They lifted and reinvigorated the whole state. He deserves to leave the NSW Origin arena as the hero that he is,” Trodden said in a statement.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Trodden is keen to secure a head coach for 2027 as soon as possible and an announcement could be made this week.

Both Daley and fellow Blues legend Brad Fittler have endorsed Matt King to do the job.

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King, 45, played for the Storm and Rabbitohs in the NRL and has since taken up the clipboard, being an assistant coach for the Blues and the Roosters.

“Matt King has been there for a while, he’s been an assistant with Michael Maguire and with Laurie Daley,” Fittler told Nine’s Today on Monday.

“He’s spent his apprenticeship under some good coaches.”

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Fellow Roosters staffer Boyd Cordner - a former Blues captain who was forced into early retirement due to concussion - has also been floated as an option, while four-time premiership-winning Penrith coach Ivan Cleary would be available from 2028 once he finishes his Panthers duties.

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