Brisbane Broncos have sacked coach Kevin Walters after the NRL pre-season favourites fell to twelfth spot.
Broncos officers advised Walters on Thursday his four-year tenure was over, ending months of hypothesis after a disappointing 2024 mid-season.
On Thursday night time, the membership launched an announcement asserting Walters had stood down.
“Teaching within the NRL takes a toll, not simply on the coach but additionally their household – it is time for me to step away and spend some high quality time with my family members, who’ve supported me all the way in which,” Walters mentioned within the assertion.
“I am grateful to the membership for offering me with the chance to be head coach and we’ve come a great distance from the picket spoon to final 12 months’s run to the Grand Remaining.”
Earlier this night, Broncos chairman Karl Morris confirmed the sacking to Information Corp.
“We really feel deeply for Kev,” he advised Information Corp.
“He’ll all the time be a revered man and a legend of the Broncos and he’ll all the time be handled that means.
“After all I’m shocked. It is a large job and a strain job on the Broncos.
“We’ve got nice appreciation for Kevvie’s efforts and want him nicely.”
Among the many pre-season favourites after going inside minutes of lifting final 12 months’s premiership, the Broncos suffered a mid-season capitulation in 2024.
The shape hunch got here amid a slew of accidents, whereas questions have been requested over fullback Reece Walsh’s type.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy mentioned the membership owed Walters “a debt of gratitude”.
“Kevin put his coronary heart and soul into the membership throughout his time as coach. He is without doubt one of the most passionate individuals you’ll ever meet in terms of the Broncos and that helped raise us out of a very troublesome time,” he mentioned in a membership assertion.
“Whereas we’ll miss Kev and his infectious character each day, we actually don’t need one of many Broncos favorite sons to not keep concerned with our nice membership.”
The membership legend gained six grand finals as a participant with Brisbane and Canberra, and coached 99 video games on the Broncos, profitable 50 matches in whole, however missed the finals in three of his 4 seasons in cost.
Brisbane have Trent Barrett on their teaching workers for subsequent season, with the membership to instantly start a seek for their subsequent mentor.
AAP
