Thomas Broich only decided a few weeks ago he wanted to play on next season, according to Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi who says he never made a call on his future.
Brisbane have come under scrutiny this week after Broich revealed in The Courier Mail he would leave the club at season’s end after Aloisi couldn’t guarantee him a contract next term.
Aloisi acknowledged the salary cap played a significant role in his stance but said he never actually made a decision on Broich, with the player making his own mind up amid the uncertainty.
“At the beginning of the season and halfway through the season, he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to play on,” Aloisi said.
“Just a few weeks ago he decided he did.
“I didn’t even make a decision.
“It was something Thomas made, we respect that and now we just focus on the game.”
Aloisi added: “I don’t want to go into it in detail. There’s a lot of things that are very difficult to explain to the general public what goes on behind closed doors.
“Thomas Broich has been a joy to coach. I get along really well with Thomas because I can talk to him for hours about football.
“We’ve got a great relationship. We always have been. During training, after training, we’ve got that relationship and I think that will continue on past this season.”
Broich said that Aloisi didn’t know if he could offer the two-time Johnny Warren medal winner a new deal, nor how much any contract would be worth.
“The salary cap restricts you,” Aloisi said.
“There’s no two ways about it. That’s part of it.
“I don’t really want to comment about it again. I want to make sure we’re focused on the big game tomorrow night and the fans come out.”
Aloisi insisted the Broich situation wouldn’t be a “distraction” for his side ahead of Friday’s elimination final against Western Sydney Wanderers.
“This football team has had a lot of distractions and it’s never bothered them,” he said.
“Their main focus is on performing on the weekend.”

Aloisi also refuted any suggestion of revenge after bowing out of last season’s finals after blowing a 3-0 lead against Wanderers, eventually losing 5-4.
“I wouldn’t say we’ll put that to bed,” Aloisi said.
“That hurt that night because we wanted to go to the grand final.
“It drove us more in pre-season but whether it was against Wanderers or someone else, there’s no revenge here.
“What we want is to go all the way.”
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