Journeyman enjoying the trip with Wanderers

WHILE it’s easy to see German playmaker Alex Baumjohann as the new Thomas Broich, Western Sydney’s new No.10 has his own story to tell.

Both impressed hugely at Borussia Monchengladbach and were scouted by Bayern Munich, but whereas Broich grew to hate the demands made of elite footballers, Baumjohann actually signed for Bayern aged just 21 and thrived on the expectation, even if the reality of it proved challenging.

“For me it wasn’t a big pressure to do what I love most in my life, which is playing football ... I played in Brazil (last year) and saw so many people living in really harsh situations – that is pressure,” he said.

“For sure, (when you play) everyone looks at you, and you play in front of 80,000 people, but football is the thing I enjoy most ... I signed my first contract at just 16, and I had a lot of targets.

“At 21, I had the option to sign for Bayern, a big step and I really enjoyed it.

“Things didn’t go as well as I expected, I signed there in January for June but when I came there was a different coach.

“But I would do it every time again, it was such a good experience. Maybe I could have been a little more patient and stayed there longer ... (but) I’m really happy with my career.”

Certainly there were high points, such as reaching the Champions League semis with Schalke in 2011, but it was injuries that stymied him in the end – torn knee ligaments twice in a year.

After the second of those, Baumjohann’s relationship with his club, Hertha Berlin, deteriorated and he decided to explore the world, heading initially to Brazil to experience a different football culture. Some 18 months later he answered a call from Markus Babbel to be part of his revolution at the Wanderers.

“I am happy that I have a coach who gives me confidence,” Baumjohann said.

“In my position that is important, a coach who trusts you. Even if you play a game that’s not that good ... you continue to play.

“Before, there were a lot of moments when I didn’t have this, and that’s really hard for a player in my position.”