Goal.com

The A-League's best player says he enjoys the Australian 'easy life' and insists he never wants to play in Germany's Bundesliga again, although the US interests him

EXCLUSIVE
By Maximilian Bensinger & Ben Somerford

Brisbane Roar's Johnny Warren medallist Thomas Broich says moving to Australia has been like a "second life" and insists he never wants to play in Germany's Bundesliga again.

The 31-year-old Munich-born midfielder has been a revelation at Brisbane since his move to the club in 2010, where he has won back-to-back championships and the 2011-12 season's top A-League individual award, the Johnny Warren medal.

However, back in Broich's native Germany he remains regarded as a talent who never fulfilled his potential after spells with Nurnberg, Koln and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Speaking to Goal.com, Broich revealed he had considered quitting the game after not enjoying his latter days in the Bundesliga, before heading to Australia where he said he was reborn as a footballer.

"When my career was over in Germany I had no real wish to continue in football. Now I'm here in Australia, it's like a second life for me," Broich said.

"When my career was over in Germany I had no real wish to continue in football. Now I'm here in Australia, it's like a second life for me"

Broich pointed to a variety of reasons for quitting Bundesliga football, including the intense media scrutiny and volatile fanfare, even if it meant giving up playing in front of big crowds, with football falling behind other codes such as Australian Rules football and rugby as the nation's most popular in Australia.

"Of course, I really like a great stadium atmosphere. Nevertheless, I am very happy that football isn't the most popular sport in Australia," Broich said.

"In Germany you cannot go for a stroll around town without getting recognised. I didn't and I will never like this hoo-ha. In Australia I feel free and no one is watching me."

"I'm not angry at the German media circus. Every journalist has to sell his story but this way of reporting is often unfounded and overdone."

The German, nicknamed 'Mozart' for his love of classical music and literature, said he enjoyed the "easy life" of Australia but missed European culture.

"[Life in Australia] is by the water, relaxation, BBQs – it's the easy life. But there's also a certain lack of culture," Broich said.

"You can see already where this country has its roots. Rugby and AFL are not for no reason the most popular sports. There's also a drinking culture... but pub life is nothing for me."

He continued: "I'm missing the European culture. Australia hasn't a real cultural background. You cannot find old cities with narrow alleys. I love southern Europe."

"I'm completely off the beaten track. But I like this relaxing environment. I don't want to return to the Bundesliga. You have to be made for this fuss – I am not."

Broich, who joined Brisbane after falling in love with Australia on holiday in 2008, has been linked with moves to Asia as well as the USA.

The German refused to rule out moving to the States, labelling it a "very interesting country".  But he made it clear he would not be heading back to play in Germany.

"I'm completely off the beaten track. But I like this relaxing environment. I don't want to return to the Bundesliga. You have to be made for this fuss – I am not." he said.

"I've already accepted that people in Germany will always remember me as an incomplete player. Talented, but not tough enough. The Bundesliga and Thomas Broich – it doesn’t fit."

Broich's Brisbane are competing in the 2012 AFC Champions League, where they have met opponents from South Korea, China and Japan, and he insisted he was loving the opportunity.

"At the moment it’s very exciting to travel the earth. I have no family. I’m feeling completely free," he said.