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As Brisbane Roar clinched their third A-League title on Sunday, an emotional Besart Berisha said his goodbyes to the Suncorp faithful. Less than a week has passed since the season’s conclusion, but the Roar must now turn their attention to how they’re going to replace him.
Love him or hate him, the Albanian is the league’s best striker and he will be sorely missed. There have been numerous rumours circulating on his replacement’s whereabouts and the Roar should be aiming high.
Not high as in high profile; high as in high quality.
Enter 32-year-old striker, Benny Lauth.
Lauth is a German you may have never heard of. But he’s a proven striker in the 2. Bundesliga, and the record goalscorer at his childhood club 1860 München. He has had spells with Bundesliga sides such as Hamburg SV, VfB Stuttgart and Hannover 96.
At the age of 22 he was considered, along with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski, one of German football’s greatest prospects. Sound familiar? However, much like current Roar talisman Thomas Broich, Lauth failed to live up to the dizzy expectations.
A string of injuries following his 2004 transfer to Hamburg halted his progress, and he was shipped out on loan to Stuttgart. There, he won a Bundesliga title, but didn’t do enough to warrant an extended stay.
So in 2008 he found his way back to Bavaria, taking on the role of star striker for Die Löwen (the Lions) and cementing himself in the club’s history.
In Munich’s second team, Lauth has been the only constant during a period riddled with financial woes, inept administration and managerial instability.
He took on the side’s attacking responsibilities year after year, notching up more than 80 goals for the club. Reliable, loyal and passionate, he is adored by the Sechziger fans, and even has a pop song named after him.
Yet at 32, the club has announced it will not be extending Lauth’s contract. After going on a barren run of 14 starts without a goal, he has been cast aside.
The club, for better or worse, is taking a new direction and, according to recently appointed sports director Gerhard Poschner, Lauth isn’t to be involved.
Following the winter break, and the arrival of Japanese striker Yuya Osako, Lauth made just one start in 2014, a decision which has outraged fans. They know his qualities and they know how much he cares about football.
On Sunday, he played his last home match in front of Die Löwen against VfL Bochum at the Allianz Arena. Showing a sharp turn of pace and a great piece of technical skill, he calmly slotted a fine goal in the 90th minute.
It was a fitting farewell and he showed that he’s not washed up. Yet now, with no contract, where to next?
“I’m open for what comes next,” he said. “I make my decisions together with my family.
“I think I showed again [against Bochum] why I want to keep doing it. I will never forget this day. Secretly I hoped my last home game would be like this.”
At 32, he has not passed his use-by date by any stretch. He still has the ability to continue at 2. Bundesliga level, but why can’t the Roar entice him to the A-League?
Australian football is beyond the stage where it needs ‘marquee’ signings in the mould of big-name players. It can now turn its attention to judging on quality alone. Lauth could be a perfect match.
While most of his goals have come through fast breakaways, using his pace to finish off counter-attacks, his technical skill and experience should see him adapt to Roar coach Mike Mulvey’s tactics. He’s a poacher, which is exactly what you want in a striker.
The MLS has been suggested as a possible destination, so why can’t the A-League compete?
Germans love Australia and the Australian culture. It surely can’t be too hard for Brisbane to sell their city – it’s a fantastic place to live.
Lauth’s desire to play football is still there. A challenge to play in a new country, with an easy-going lifestyle and great weather, could be an attractive proposition. He is also not the type of player to pick up his pay packet and rest on his laurels.
The Roar should seize on this opportunity and consider making an offer. Players like Lauth don’t become available every day.
Fellow German striker Mike Hanke has already been linked with the Roar, and would also be an interesting signing. But he hasn’t played much football in the past two years and is still under contract with SC Freiburg. As a current Bundesliga squad player, Hanke would also probably demand a higher wage.
Lauth could be the answer for the Roar. The former ‘Lion’ is capable of pushing the Brisbane club to another title and help fans forget about Berisha.
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