Madge in mix for gig with the Broncos

MICHAEL Maguire has expressed his interest in coaching the Broncos as Brisbane bosses ramp up their search for Wayne Bennett’s replacement at Red Hill.

Speaking for the first time about the Broncos post, Maguire says he is keen to talk to Brisbane hierarchy if they believe he is the right man to succeed Bennett in 2020.

The former Souths premiership-winning mentor (pictured) is one of the most soughtafter coaches on the open market, with Maguire being strongly tipped to take over from Trent Barrett at Manly.

But the Broncos are another option, with Brisbane powerbrokers understood to have identified several candidates to replace Bennett, including Maguire, Souths’ Anthony Seibold and Maroons coach Kevin Walters.

The Broncos could have their next coach finalised before Christmas, and Maguire last night said the prospect of calling the shots at Queensland’s flagship NRL club had genuine appeal.

“I’m open to that (coaching the Broncos),” Maguire said. “If ever the time was right to talk to people at the Broncos, I would certainly consider that and any other opportunity.

“You have to look at all options. I don’t know the ins and outs of the Broncos, but Brisbane are a club most coaches would view as a strong club to go to because of the facilities and funding they have.

“Ultimately, it’s the people involved in a club and the ambitions and desire of an organisation to be successful that appeals to me.”

It is believed Manly have had discussions with Maguire but the cash-strapped club cannot match the infrastructure and financial muscle of the Broncos.