‘I NEVER GAVE UP’
Walters wins ‘dream’ job
“I NEVER gave up hope.”
With those words, Kevin Walters has broken his silence on clinching the Brisbane job and has outlined his plan to bring the premiership glory days back to his beloved Broncos.
In his first interview since being appointed Brisbane coach, Walters says the devastation of losing out to Anthony Seibold two years ago could not break his spirit in his burning ambition to one day lead the Broncos. Now, Walters’ time has come. News Corp can reveal Walters officially signed with the Broncos at 10pm Tuesday night. He has inked a two-year, $1 million contract to remain at the Broncos until the end of 2022 and Walters also backed plans for Storm super coach Craig Bellamy to eventually join him at Red Hill.
In the process of inking the deal, Walters confirmed he has resigned as Queensland Origin coach, texting Maroons players last night to inform them of his impending departure.
The Broncos will announce Walters’ signing this afternoon with ‘Kevvie’ declaring he always had faith he would ascend to the Red Hill throne.
“I am so thrilled,” he said. “This is something I have been working towards for 20 years, since I finished playing in 2001. I wanted to one day be the head coach of the Broncos and now I’ve got it, it’s in front of me.
“I always chased the dream and now the dream is here, I have to make it a reality.
“I never gave up hope of coaching the Broncos. I always believed in myself and the direction I was taking my coaching career. I always believed I would end up at the Broncos and now the time has arrived.
“I’m very grateful for the chance and the plan now is to deliver a premiership.
“We have a lot of work to do.” As part of Walters’ Broncos coronation, he will reluctantly sever ties with the Maroons outfit he has coached for the past four campaigns.
The process will be gradual, with Walters to assist Queensland’s preparation for the next fortnight before handing the reins to either Wayne Bennett, Paul Green or Mal Meninga.
“I’m disappointed, hugely disappointed,” he said of his decision to stand down from the Maroons.
“I love Queensland and I’m getting emotional just thinking about standing down.
“There will be a transitional period over the next month into the series. Once the QRL get their person and who they want, that’s when I’ll start working with them.
“Whatever they need from me, I am happy to give them any assistance.”
The Broncos are in talks to bring Bellamy to the club as Walters’ coaching director from 2022.
As revealed by News Corp, Brisbane have discussed a deal of five-to-10 years with Bellamy and Walters says he would have no issue forming an alliance with his mate of 30 years.
“I don’t have any problem working with Craig at all,” he said.
“We have known each other a long time, we have great respect for each other and there is no dramas at all if Craig comes on board.
“I don’t want to talk too much about ‘Bellyache’, he has a finals series to win with the Storm. I will let him focus on that, but the good thing is I will be coaching the Broncos for the next two years which I am really happy about.”