Chris Fagan is donning the navy blue.
Fagan has joined Carlton as director of coaching in a massive coup for the Blues and their reloaded footy department for senior coach Josh Fraser in 2027.
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The Brisbane triple premiership coach had interest from multiple clubs including Collingwood, Melbourne and Tasmania, where Fagan is originally from.
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But Carlton has won the race for the 65-year old’s services in a huge get for the club.
The newly-created, full-time role will see Fagan report to Carlton footy boss Chris Davies. It’ll have a match day component as Fagan will be “a trusted advisor and sounding board” to Fraser in his first full season at the helm.
Fagan, who coached Brisbane for 10 years, was excited for his new chapter at Ikon Park.
Chris Fagan has joined Carlton (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
“While I loved my 10 years as a senior coach, this is a role I am passionate about and where I know I can have a real impact in this next phase of my football career,” Fagan said.
“Supporting people to get the absolute best out of themselves is what I love most about football, so the chance to now be able to do that on a full-time basis is incredibly exciting. I can’t wait to connect with each person in the football department, and in particular work closely with Josh to help every coach and player be the best Carlton person they can possibly be.
“In all my conversations with Rob, Graham, Chris and Josh before accepting the role, what resonated strongly was how aligned they were on how to make Carlton a great football club. They shared a clear vision of evolving Carlton into a club that can contend but most importantly, they understand there is still significant work to do to get there.
“To have the senior leadership of a football club share such clarity in their direction, combined with a role that gives me genuine purpose, makes joining Carlton an opportunity too good to pass up.”
Fagan reunites with Blues chief executive Graham Wright after the pair worked together at Hawthorn during the club’s golden era last decade with coaching great Alastair Clarkson.
“We want to build our football club around good people and they do not come any better than Chris Fagan,” Davies said.
“Few in the game have his wealth of experience and ability to connect with and get the best out of those around him. Most importantly, he is a proven winner who knows what it takes to build a consistently high-performing environment.
“Chris and Josh have built a connection in recent weeks over a shared philosophy of putting people first and building a program the right way. With Chris on board, Josh will be well supported, our coaches will be well developed and our program will continue to build the clarity and discipline required to be truly elite.
“We can’t wait to welcome Chris and his wife Ursula, their daughters Jessica and Ellen and the entire Fagan family to Carlton.”
Fagan stepped away from the Lions after guiding the club to third successive premiership with a year to run on his contract to be closer to family in Victoria.