Billy Slater will step down as head coach of the Maroons after five years in the role, Queensland Rugby League (QRL) has announced.He will not return for the 2027 State of Origin series.Slater began coaching the Queensland side in 2021, ahead of the 2022 series.While he said the decision was not made lightly, the 43-year-old felt the time was right to step away."I want to thank the players, this group gave everything for the jersey, for each other and our State, and I'm proud of what we've built together," Slater said in a statement."And to my fellow Queenslanders, thank you for the trust you put in me to be our coach. Being a Queenslander has always been a huge part of who I am, and that will never change."QRL chair Brian Canavan thanked Slater for his contribution to the Maroons and the game in Queensland."His impact on our organisation and on Queenslanders everywhere will be felt long after his tenure as coach concludes," he said.Queensland Rugby League said it would commence a process to appoint the next Maroons Head Coach in due course.Slater coached the Maroons to victories in the 2022, 2023 and 2025 State of Origin series, while losing in 2024 and 2026.As a player, the Nambour-born Slater made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm in 2003 and stayed with the club until he retired in 2018.He scored 190 tries for the Storm, the third most in Australian first-grade rugby league history.He also set the club's record for most tries and the NRL record for most tries by a fullback.Slater represented Queensland in the State of Origin in 31 matches between 2004 and 2018, scoring 12 tries and winning eight Origin series.He also played 30 times for Australia, making his international debut in 2008.He was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2024.- ABC