BRISBANE coach Chris Fagan has stepped down after three premierships and 10 seasons at the Lions.
He departs a triple premiership coach after the club's dramatic Grand Final win over Fremantle on Saturday and finishes with a record of 148 wins, 93 losses and two draws from 243 games.
>> READ CHRIS FAGAN'S FULL STATEMENT BELOW
He leaves the club with a better record than fellow Lions three-peat coach Leigh Matthews (142 wins, 92 losses, three draws in 237 games).
He now plans to move to Melbourne to be closer to his family.
Fagan said telling the Lions players and staff of his departure was "one of the hardest things I've done in my life".
"Together, we have been on a mission to make the Lions the most entertaining and competitive team in the competition, and we have done that," he said in a statement
"This job is all encompassing; I've given it my absolute all and I'm so proud of what we’ve achieved, but now is the right time to go.
"This club has never been in greater shape, and the list profile would suggest this. The boys will continue to contend, and I'll be their number one fan, but a fresh face at the helm will be a key pillar for the players to come back to next season, as they work hard to achieve more success."
The Lions are expected to hold a press conference later this afternoon.
It means the Lions will need to find a new coach in their quest for a historic four-peat, a feat unseen in the VFL/AFL since Collingwood from 1927-30.
Brisbane football boss Danny Daly, who left a career in banking to join Collingwood in 2000 before stints at North Melbourne and Richmond, has confirmed a desire to become a senior coach. He has previously knocked back interest from Gold Coast, Collingwood, Essendon, West Coast and Melbourne.
Fagan has also praised backline coach Dale Morris and floated midfield coach Cam Bruce as another possible replacement, while pointing to an increasing trend for clubs to opt for young first-time assistant coaches.
Fagan has indicated he will not suggest a replacement to the club and that he wants to stay in football, in some shape or form.
Daly praised Fagan for his leadership and friendship.
"From the very first time we met, I knew we shared the same values and beliefs not only around coaching but also about life and we were able to over a 10-year period forge a great working relationship and more importantly a great friendship," Daly said.
"I'm forever grateful he backed me in to be the Football Manager, and I hope I have been able to repay him.
"The journey has been amazing, ten years, eight finals campaigns, four Grand Finals and three Premierships, it's a record which over time we will come to appreciate a lot more.
"I'm forever grateful that these aside, my family and I were able to be part of his and Ursula’s family life and forge a great and everlasting friendship.
"I will miss working with him and selfishly I am sad he has decided to give it away but deep down I am really happy that Fages gets to leave on his terms, as a winner."
Fagan, who never played the game at the top level, arrived at Brisbane in 2016 and won just 10 games in his first two seasons.
He then proceeded to shepherd the club to eight straight finals berths and four consecutive Grand Final appearances.
"Chris arrived at our club with a clear view of what good people, strong relationships and shared belief could achieve," Brisbane chair Andrew Wellington said.
"He led with humility, without ego and with an unwavering commitment to helping those around him become better."
- with AAP
Chris Fagan's statement
"As you've come to know I've been thinking about this for some time and I'm comfortable that now is the right time for Ursula and I to return to Melbourne to be closer to our family.
"Telling the players and football staff today was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life, together, we have been on a mission to make the Lions the most entertaining and competitive team in the competition, and we have done that. I was grateful to be given the role to coach the Club, and it has been an incredible ride.
"I especially want to thank Ursula and my daughters Jessica and Ellen for their incredible support over the journey, they have backed me through thick and thin.
"This job is all encompassing; I’ve given it my absolute all and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, but now is the right time to go.
"This Club has never been in greater shape, and the list profile would suggest this. The boys will continue to contend, and I’ll be their number one fan, but a fresh face at the helm will be a key pillar for the players to come back to next season, as they work hard to achieve more success.
"Ursula and I will really miss the City of Brisbane. We feel like from the time we arrived we’ve been embraced and made plenty of friends at the club and in our community. We will miss it a lot, and we really appreciate the support of everyone during our time here.
"I love how the fans have really embraced the team during my coaching tenure. To see the growth of footy across the State, our membership growth, big crowds filling the Gabba, the development of Brighton Homes Arena, which is far cry from our previous preseason situation, and with a new stadium in a few years the future looks bright.
"I’ll miss the club and it will feel strange not to be involved but for the last ten years I’ve thought about nothing other than how we can improve, get better and be successful. To see the Club develop on field from cellar dwellers to three-time Premiers has been amazing.
"The Lions are the sum of our parts and everyone across the club has played their role."
