Chris Fagan has failed to guarantee he will continue coaching in 2027 as rumours continue swirl about the Lions coach.
The popular mentor, who has been at the Lions for 10 seasons, heads into Saturday’s Grand Final against Fremantle with his future yet to be locked in.
Chasing a third consecutive premiership, Fagan said during Friday’s official press conference he will sit down to discuss his future with officials after the season finishes.
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“It’s fair enough to speculate about it, but I honestly don’t know right at this point in time whether I’ll keep going or not, but it was like that last year and the year before. So, just got to work out the right time to go,” Fagan said.
“So, there’ll be a few more discussions about that, but it’s not the big issue.”
Fagan is contracted through to the end of the 2027 season, however, after leading the club to four grand finals, the ball is in Fagan’s court.
Lions captain Harris Andrews told reporters during the press conference he hopes his mentor will remain in the job.
Sitting alongside Andrews, Fagan beamed with a bright smile when Andrews was asked about his coach.
“Definitely hoping that he continues on,” Andrews said.
“We don’t really think about that sort of stuff. We’re too focused on the moment and yeah, whatever happens.
“At the end of the day, he’s been a great coach. And really excited to hopefully continue on with him.”
It comes after footy icon Leigh Matthews on Monday night stirred rumours Fagan may elect to step away after such a period of success.
Matthews, who is one of Fagan’s closest mentors, said he would understand it if Fagan made the tough decision.
“He doesn’t worry about his contract,” Matthews said on Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
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“It’s irellevant to him. At the end of the day he says, ‘Do I want to keep coaching’.
“Because coaching is a lifestyle. It’s a lifestyle that you have to be prepared to live. At some time he might think, well I don’t want to do that anymore.
“This has been the situation I would have thought the last few years.”
Lions legend Jonathan Brown also said he had also heard “speculation” about Fagan’s future and said he would understand it if Saturday’s blockbuster was Fagan’s final game in charge.
The game could also be Lachie Neale’s final in Lions colours with the former captain widely tipped to join Collingwood next year.
Originally published as Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan stirs up AFL rumour that won’t go away