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Thomas Broich might be entering what will likely be his last A-League season as a player, but his influence on Australian football could be only just beginning.
Arguably the competition’s greatest import, Broich is strongly considering taking up coaching when he hangs up his boots.
The 35-year-old German is in the final year of his marquee deal with Brisbane Roar and, while unsure if he will seek another contract extension, he’s already started thinking about life after retirement.
Nothing is set in stone just yet but Broich is serious about returning to the Roar one day and exploring the art of coaching.
“The teaching element of it is just beautiful,” Broich told AAP.
“When you see guys taking it on and becoming better players, or us becoming a better team, that is a really rewarding and fulfilling feeling.
“I could certainly see myself in a role like that. It might be as an academy coach, assistant coach, it might even be as a head coach.
“I don’t know exactly if that is what I want from life – obviously it puts you under a lot of pressure. It’s more seeing what suits my style, what feels right, that kind of approach.”
Not all great players make good coaches but Broich shapes as a gem of an addition to the national ranks if he can make a successful transition.
He is also in the early stages of applying for Australian citizenship, which he qualifies for, having been in the country since joining the Roar in May 2010.
In an added bonus, that could give coach John Aloisi an extra foreign slot later in the season.
“Brisbane is and will always be such an important part of my life, it really turned life around for me and I’ll feel just forever grateful for what I’ve experienced here,” Broich said.
“I’ve got the opportunity now to actually become a part of Australia and I think I’m going to seize this opportunity.
“I’m kind of thinking after my career, I want to spend a little bit of time in Australia just to really experience and travel the country for once – spend more than just three days in Sydney or Melbourne, actually go to Alice Springs, Western Australia, sailing in the Whitsundays, that kind of stuff.
“But then I want to go back to Europe, catch up with friends and family, look after my mum a little bit, might even do my coaching badges over there.
“There’s a part of me that dreams of coming back to Brisbane in a different role one day.”
The Roar is, of course, where the former German youth international rediscovered his passion for the game.
Then-coach Ange Postecoglou famously drove nine hours across Europe to meet with a burnt-out Broich – frustrated with life in the Bundesliga and cynical of football’s business side, as captured in the documentary Tom Meets Zizou – to convince him to move to the A-League.
Broich has mesmerised domestic audiences ever since, winning three championships and becoming one of only four players to have won the Johnny Warren medal twice, putting him in the esteemed company of Socceroos greats Mark Viduka, Scott Chipperfield and Damien Mori.
Time is catching up, however, and Broich’s powers appeared to be on the wane in the A-League last season as he struggled to make his usual imprint on the competition.
With a rejuvinated Tommy Oar expected to take his starting position on the left wing, a bench spot likely beckons – but he’s confident he can still be a key contributor as his glittering career winds down.
“There are moments where you have to admit the younger guys are just faster and quicker,” Broich said.
“But then there’s an upside to it. The longer you play, the smarter you become, the more experienced you become.
“Football isn’t that much about running, it’s more about your awareness, vision, touch and all that – and that certainly is not getting worse with age.”
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