The Brisbane Lions are set to announce their new coach on Tuesday following an extended period searching for Chris Fagan’s replacement.

Lions midfield coach Cameron Bruce will be appointed Brisbane’s new coach after the club’s board met on Monday afternoon.

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The 47-year-old becomes Brisbane head coach on a three-year deal, according to AFL.com.au.

Bruce beat out former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson and Magpies assistant Hayden Skipworth for the job.

The Lions were believed to be keen on an internal candidate to take over from Fagan and Bruce was the obvious choice after general manager of football Danny Daly ruled himself out of the race.

Buckley was in the mix for the Melbourne Demons last year before Steve King was appointed, and was also a candidate for the Tasmanian Devils coaching position, but that job went to former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley.

Buckley, who coached Collingwood from 2012 to 2021, joined Geelong as an assistant coach in 2026 working with Chris Scott.

Bruce was a key part of Brisbane’s coaching team for the premiership three-peats and also had success under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn in 2013-15.

Fagan had previously talked up Bruce as a leading candidate to take over from him.

“The only reason he hasn’t put his hand up for jobs in more recent years is that he loves it up here,” Fagan said on SEN last month.

“He’s got a young family that love it up here as well. So he hasn’t been inclined to move anywhere else, whereas, here’s an opportunity where he doesn’t have to go anywhere.

“I honestly think he would have an AFL coaching job right now if he had have decided to go for one of those jobs.”

Fagan, stepped down as Lions coach after leading Brisbane to a third consecutive premiership with a thrilling comeback win over Fremantle in the grand final.

After 10 seasons as Brisbane’s head coach, the 65-year-old has returned to Victoria and joined Carlton as director of coaching to mentor Josh Fraser.

“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 in a statement.

“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.”

Bruce will join North Melbourne’s Jaymie Graham and Essendon’s Mark McVeigh as new AFL coaches in 2027.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions appoint new coach to take over from Chris Fagan