Blues head coach Vern Cotter has announced he will leave the franchise for the Reds after this season's Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Cotter, who has now also effectively ruled himself out of a job with the new All Blacks coaching regime after Scott Robertson's axing, will join the Queensland franchise for next season. Cotter will replace Les Kiss, who is the new head coach of the Wallabies.
In a statement, the Blues were at pains to say Cotter's early announcement would provide clarity.
However, it is clear that Cotter, who led the Blues to a championship in his first season in 2024, feels he has taken the franchise as far as he can.
The Blues were disappointing in last year's regular season before a late lift saw them qualify for the playoffs where they lost to eventual champions the Crusaders in a semifinal in Christchurch.
Cotter, who joined the Blues on a three-year deal, said: “When I arrived, I was brought in to help create a winning culture, and over the past few years we’ve had a lot of mature, honest conversations about where the club was and where it needed to go.
“The landscape has changed significantly since I came in, and it genuinely feels like the club is well set up for its next phase of evolution. There has been a lot of good during my time here, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together.
“Timing is always important in this game, and it feels like the right moment for both me and the club to plan for what comes next.
“This club has a proud history and a special connection with its people. Right now, my focus is firmly on the 2026 season and doing everything I can to help this team perform at its best and leave the club in a strong position.”
Blues chief executive Karl Budge said: “This has been part of a long-term strategy, and both Vern and the club felt it was the right thing to be open and clear before the season begins.
“We hugely appreciate everything Vern has done and continues to do for the club. He has delivered exactly what he was brought in to do. The Blues have a strong performance environment, clear DNA of how we want to play and know what it takes to be champions.”
A head coach appointment process is already under way, the Blues said.
The Blues' opening game of the season against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday, February 14.
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