‘A role that gives me genuine purpose’: Why Chris Fagan chose Carlton as his new AFL home

Three-time AFL premiership coach Chris Fagan has a new home with the long-time league figure joining Carlton as their director of coaching.

In a major boost to new Carlton coach Josh Fraser’s team at Ikon Park, 64-year-old Fagan joins the Blues after flagging that he was keen to work in Victoria after leading Brisbane to a third straight premiership last month.

“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 released by the Blues.

“Supporting people to get the absolute best out of themselves is what I love most about football, so the chance to now be able to do that on a full-time basis is incredibly exciting. I can’t wait to connect with each person in the football department, and in particular work closely with Josh to help every coach and player be the best Carlton person they can possibly be.”

“In all my conversations with Rob [Priestley, president], Graham [Wright, chief executive], Chris [Davies, general manager of football] and Josh before accepting the role, what resonated strongly was how aligned they were on how to make Carlton a great football club.

“They shared a clear vision of evolving Carlton into a club that can contend but most importantly, they understand there is still significant work to do to get there.

“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.”

Fagan will report to Davies. His full-time role will have a match-day component that will be an extension of the support Fagan will provide the coaching group throughout the week.

More to come

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