Thomas Broich was once regarded as the greatest talent in German soccer. At a time when the national team did not get past the preliminary round of the European Championships in Portugal and even opponents such as Latvia could not be defeated, Broich, with his fine, filigree playing style, was also regarded as a promise against steadfastness in German soccer. However, the former U21 international player was only rarely able to meet these high expectations over the course of his career.
When his career stalled after many injuries and stints in Gladbach, Cologne and Nuremberg, the Munich-born man moved “Down Under” — and found his great fortune. He won the Australian Championship three times and even received the Australian Footballer of the Decade award in 2014. Today, Thomas Broich is a TV and tactics expert and also shares his knowledge as a coach in youth soccer.
We from B42 met the 40-year-old and talked to him about his career highlights, the error culture in soccer and how to achieve his best sporting self.
On the pitch, Broich was a player of difference. Someone who was able to put his stamp on the game. He was agile, tricky and equipped with the ability to make difficult situations look easy.
The A-League Grand Final 2011 was undoubtedly a particularly challenging situation. Opponents were the CC Mariners and in extra time Broich and Co. had their backs to the wall with a score of 0-2. What happened next went down in soccer history books not only in Australia: Brisbane equalized the result in the 117th and with the very last game situation in the 120th minute of the game, even won the penalty shootout and finally won the championship after an outstanding playing time.
“It was amazing. The people are freaked out — a Sea of Orange,” the midfielder remembers the final with bright eyes. In 2012 and 2014, more final victories followed and finally even the “Australia Footballer of the Decade” award.
Due to persistent ankle problems, he put the end to an enormously successful playing career in 2017.
We are the game changer — B42
Everyone who saw Thomas Broich play, how he acted as a matter of course, with what ease he ruled the playing field, inevitably asked himself what else would have been possible in this soccer career. He himself is very specific: “There would have been much more to it.” A conclusion about his own soccer career that is surprisingly honest. However, anyone who suspects melancholy, disappointment or suspicion in this statement is deceived. Broich seems happy with it. He had experienced a lot and reflected much more. And finally be able to learn a lot after an eventful career.
In an interview, he once said that he was considered a failure in the Bundesliga. Maybe, he says, that's even true. But: “Everything that came after my time in the Bundesliga was much more awesome. And even though some people say that I may have played third-rate soccer somewhere in Australia: for me that was everything — it meant the world to me. ”
The example of Thomas Broich clearly shows us that in order to be happy in soccer, you don't always have to go straight up. Detours can also lead to satisfaction and happiness — regardless of which league you play in.
The other end of the world was a true game changer not only for his active career. Australia was also important for his future. One man played a decisive role in this: Ange Postecoglou.
The now 55-year-old ex-professional was trainer of Brisbane Roar and thus also of Thomas Broich from 2009 to 2012. “With Ange, I learned for the first time what a trainer can really do. He penetrated soccer so much and was able to explain it with clarity. ”
“With an average squad,” says Broich, Postecoglou “wanted to play soccer like FC Barcelona.” With success! Because within a short period of time, the game of “Roarcelona” changed (as the newspapers christened Brisbane Roar due to their playing style).
“We all got better in our heads and understood soccer. That was the moment when I thought, 'Don't you want to try something like that too? '. The fact that Ange did it with this troupe never let go of me again and finally let me become a youth coach. ”
Together with Jerome Polenz (including professional in Aachen, Union Berlin and Sydney), he took over the U15 of SG Eintracht Frankfurt in March 2020.
Probably also from personal experience, trainer Thomas Broich attaches particular importance to the topic of “error culture”: “In order to be able to do something extraordinary, you also have to be prepared to make mistakes. That is why, in our little soccer bubble, we have tried to develop a culture in which people are not afraid of making mistakes. ”
Instead, as a trainer, he wants to constantly encourage his boys to seek intrepid solutions. Because this is the only way to make further development possible. According to the former professional from Gladbach, Nuremberg and Cologne, you should never make the one unforgivable mistake: “Be afraid of making a mistake on the pitch. ”
Thomas Broich also gets really serious when it comes to the topic of 'being able and not being able to: '
“I don't like statements like 'the player can't do that. ' That is far too simplistic. Maybe this or that player can't do it YET. But that is exactly my job as a trainer. And players can make mistakes just as long. ”
One thing that Thomas Broich would like to tell his Eintracht youngsters, but also to all soccer players: “I am sure that happiness lies in working on things that you enjoy doing and realizing yourself in them. When you develop with plan, meticulousness and joy and are suddenly able to do things that you couldn't do before, that makes you happy. And that's what life is all about: We just want to be happy. ”
Be fearless. Be focused. B42
Get your digital assistant trainer!
.jpg)
.jpg)
