Michael Maguire’s brief but successful tenure as New South Wales coach has officially come to an end after he was granted a release from the final year of his deal to join the Brisbane Broncos.
The premiership-winning mentor took over the Blues this year following Brad Fittler’s departure and guided the side to their first State of Origin series victory since 2021.
Maguire was only appointed as NSW coach on November 30 last year on a two-year deal after a long process to replace Fittler played out.
It's now back to the drawing board for NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden as the search for the right person to take over the vacant position begins once again.
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Who will replace Michael Maguire? Potential NSW Origin coaching candidates
Paul McGregor
Paul McGregor is set to reemerge in the conversation to take over as Blues boss after previously serving as an assistant for the state during Fittler’s reign.
The former St George Illawarra coach has had his name thrown around as a potential replacement in recent years before ultimately falling short.
The 56-year-old has over 150 games of experience as a head coach in the NRL, while also having a storied playing career in the NSW jersey.
McGregor is one of a quintet of former NRL head coaches to be tentatively linked to the role but would appear to be the most likely to land the job.
John Cartwright, Trent Barrett, Brad Arthur and Nathan Brown have also been highlighted as possible candidates.
However, Cartwright is set to take charge of Hull FC in the off-season after a stint as an assistant at the Broncos, while Arthur recently inked an extension to remain in the Super League with Leeds.
Barrett will move to Red Hill to work as an assistant coach at Brisbane after covering as interim head coach at Parramatta due to Arthur’s axing earlier in the campaign.
The former Manly and Canterbury coach has had a difficult time of it in the hot seat though with a lack of results plaguing his record.
Dean Young
Dean Young has been steadily moving up the coaching ranks and building a solid reputation for himself.
He is currently employed by the Dragons, where he is serving as an assistant to Shane Flanagan, although came close to bagging the job at Parramatta which eventually went to Jason Ryles.
The 40-year-old has also worked north of the border when he assisted Todd Payten at the Cowboys for three years, while he also gained experience in the rep arena thanks to a role with Tonga.
Young has the backing of former Red V mentor Wayne Bennett, who recently declared that the premiership winner was ready to take the next step in his coaching career.
"I know Dean well enough to know he wouldn't have applied for the job if he didn't have the qualifications and the ability to do it," Bennett told The Sydney Morning Herald about Young's application for the Eels job.
"You can't coach if you can't lead and he ticks that box. He's an outstanding person - simple as that."
Brad Fittler
The most recent former Blues coach before Maguire has been linked to a return to the post he only left last year after two successive series defeats against Billy Slater’s QLD side.
Fittler oversaw the Blues for six years after taking over in 2018 and went on to win three of his six series in the Origin arena.
Since his exit, he has been appointed as the coach of the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII after Mal Meninga stepped away from the role.
Laurie Daley
Fittler isn’t the only former Blues coach to be linked to the job, with Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley also mentioned as early possibilities.
Daley has been linked to a return to the Blues in several different capacities down the years.
He was at the helm for a five-year period but only managed to notch one series victory between 2013 and 2017.
However, Daley has openly expressed his desire to help the Blues in any way that he could in the past despite appearing to be at long odds for a return to the hot seat.
"I’ve said all along if people thought I could help out I would help out in any role," Daley said on Big Sports Breakfast last year when he was being linked to the vacant position.
"Coach could be an option, being a mentor, being in a leadership role, whatever it may be. I’m always happy to help where I can."
Meanwhile, Stuart has had two separate spells in charge of the Blues in the past and has often showcased his passion for the job.
Although he did ink a four-year contract extension earlier in the year at Canberra, which makes him an extremely unlikely option to take over from Maguire given his commitment to the Raiders.
Matt King
The popular former flying winger has been in and around the NSW set-up for a number of years and could present as an exciting option.
After hanging up the boots, the 44-year-old has served apprenticeships at South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters, while also working as an assistant under Maguire last year.
If the Blues want to maintain much of the same structure that Maguire established before leaving for the Broncos, King could be the best option to do so.
However, his lack of experience in a head role will be of a concern.
Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy is likely to feature high on the Blues’ wanted list ahead of the veteran coach leading Melbourne out in the grand final.
He signed a unique five-year contract in 2022 that allowed him to decide each year whether he would continue in the top role or transition into working behind the scenes at the Storm.
Bellamy was on the brink of retiring from coaching last year before he had a change of heart and re-committed to the club.
If the Storm manage to knock Penrith off their perch in the decider, Bellamy could possibly choose to go out on top in the NRL, which could then open the door for a shot at Blues redemption.
He won just two matches in Origin during his previous time in charge that unfortunately included a series whitewash in 2010 during Queensland’s era of complete dominance.
However, ahead of the NRL grand final, Bellamy ruled himself out of the running for the Blues job.
"I’ve committed myself for the Storm next year," the coach said.
"They’re not going to have a coach who is coaching an NRL side coaching Origin. I think they think that is too hard, and I think that as well.
"I have made that decision and I will stick with that."
