Allan Langer has revealed it was solely his decision to leave his role as trainer at the Brisbane Broncos and move into a new job working with the club’s corporate partners. Langer is a Broncos legend and has worked as an assistant coach and trainer at the Brisbane club for years.
But the sacking of good mate and former coach Kevin Walters threw Langer’s role at the club into doubt, and he’s since moved away from his job in the football department. Many had speculated that new coach Michael Maguire had moved Langer on in a bid to shake up the faltering club and bring his own staff in.
But Langer has revealed that isn’t the case, and claims he simply wanted a change of pace. “After a long year, I just felt like I needed a change,” Langer said on Sunday. “I went to see (CEO) Dave (Donaghy) and I explained that at this stage of my life and with the changes at the club, it was just the right time.
“It’s a new and exciting role. I’ve come to know a lot of the Broncos partners, corporates and members well over the last 30-plus years and catching up with them is something I’ve always really enjoyed. It will also give me more time to spend with Janine and the family and my grandkids in particular, which is important to me.”
Brisbane Broncos CEO speaks on Allan Langer decision
Donaghy said Langer will always be a part of the club and expressed his delight the 58-year-old hasn’t walked away completely. “When Alf came to see me, I was only too happy to make this happen,” Donaghy said. “Alf is such a special person. Everyone knows him and everyone loves him, but better yet, he loves the Broncos just as much.
“He’s always said to me that he will do anything for the club and he is genuinely excited about swapping the blue (trainer) shirt for the buttoned up one. Alf has a job at the Broncos for as long as he wants.
“I’ve never met someone who doesn’t enjoy a chat with Alf and vice-versa. He has endless stories and he’s going a play a massive role for us in connecting with our fans right across the state and beyond. It’s been great to talk through the opportunities with Alf.”
Wally Lewis thought Allan Langer had been sacked
Langer’s new role will see him head to parts of regional Queensland to try and spread the Broncos brand, and he’ll be heading to Las Vegas in March to work with sponsors. He’ll also be attending Broncos home games in 2025 and liaising with corporates.
His revelation that Maguire had nothing to do with him leaving his role as trainer will come as a surprise to many. Fellow Broncos legend Wally Lewis assumed Maguire had played a part in shaking things up, saying last month: “I don’t have anything to do with Madge as a coach, so I don’t understand what his plans are or what his thoughts were before that decision-making took place.
“Coaches are entitled to make a decision – I think he’s come in with the thinking ‘change is as is as good as a holiday’ and probably believed there needed to be a broom put through the Broncos. I was shocked. Sacking Alf is like sacking Santa Claus.”
