Michael Maguire appears all but certain to be appointed as Brisbane's new head coach after reportedly being released from the final year of his contract with New South Wales.
Maguire took charge of the Blues for the first time this year following Brad Fittler's exit and led the state to a stirring comeback series victory over Queensland.
However, NSWRL have now granted the coach a release from his deal to pursue an opportunity elsewhere.
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Maguire was always vocal about wanting to return to the NRL as a head coach ever since his sacking from the Wests Tigers in 2022.
He rebuilt his reputation after the disastrous spell in charge at Concord as an assistant under Ricky Stuart at Canberra, before excelling in the representative arena.
Maguire led New Zealand to the inaugural title in the Pacific Championships as the Kiwis battered Australia 30-0 in last year's decider.
The historic win marked his last game in charge of the national side though, as he then stepped down to take charge of the Blues.
NSW lost their first game under the former premiership-winning coach, before recovering to knock off Billy Slater's Maroons and reclaim the shield.
Maguire was listed as the favourite to take over at Red Hill immediately after Kevin Walters' shock exit was announced last week.
The Broncos endured a nightmare campaign this season that led to the exit of Walters as they went from grand finalists in 2023 to finishing in 12th place on the ladder this year.
"NSWRL directors held a meeting on Monday morning after the Origin-winning coach informed them of his intention to take the Brisbane job," The Sydney Morning Herald first reported.
"The Broncos are close to announcing a multi-year deal with Maguire to take over from Walters, but have given the coach time to finalise his exit from the NSWRL, which is now preparing the release paperwork to formally signal the end of his brief but successful stint as Blues coach."
