Christian Theoharous is enjoying his football again thanks to Central Coast Mariners. The former Borussia Monchengladbach youngster is thriving under Nick Montgomery as the talented Australian speaks to KEEPUP’s Sacha Pisani about life, on and off the pitch.
When you watch Christian Theoharous in a Central Coast Mariners kit, there is something different about him.
He is playing with a smile again.
It is significant for a player,who found himself out of favour at Western United, where he was limited to just 67 minutes of Isuzu UTE A-League action across one-and-a-half seasons.
“You have coaches that love you and some coaches who don’t really like you,” Theoharous told KEEPUP. “It’s obviously a game of opinions. My relationship with my coach is top.”
Nick Montgomery lured the 23-year-old to Gosford in January and upon his arrival the Mariners head coach touted Theoharous as a future Socceroo.
It is that faith which is fuelling the former Borussia Monchengladbach youngster, who has already amassed nine appearances and 265 minutes of game time for the Mariners, as well as providing three assists.
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He has provided creativity and a spark in an exciting Mariners outfit.
“Just having a coach that you’re on the same page with,” he said.
“I believe I have the qualities to represent Australia at a high level. Having a coach that sees that and being eye-to-eye with him and having a good relationship. It’s hand-in-hand really.
“With the lowest budget in the league and what he’s been able to achieve, it’s incredible,” he continued. “I even talk to him away from football. He just understands what it means to be a footballer.
“Sometimes different players need to be coached differently and he totally understands that. It’s incredible what I’ve experienced here.
“I haven’t experienced a coach like it. It’s probably the first time in my career that I have a good relationship with my head coach.”
Theoharous was part of the Western United squad that won the 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League Championship, but he was unable to establish himself in John Aloisi’s first-team plans.
However, the Mariners and their renowned faith in youth and development has provided him with the perfect environment to rediscover his love for the game, and his best form.
Just look at the club’s 4-1 win over Macarthur FC, which featured 10 Academy graduates and 12 players aged 23 and under. Current Socceroo Garang Kuol also made a name for himself on the coast before earning a mega-move to Premier League giants Newcastle United in January.
It is something Theoharous, who spent three years in Germany, has not seen before.
“You look at Central Coast and the players they’ve developed in recent years, and the amount of opportunities they’ve given to young players. They’re doing unbelievably for the league and Australia,” he said.
“They give young players a go and aren’t afraid to give them a go. At other clubs it’s different but here the trust and belief to give young players ago, it’s one to none.
“I’ve not seen it anywhere in world football, let alone in Australia.
“It’s just a different environment. A lot younger. Don’t get me wrong, Western were top but there’s something special here too.”
Theoharous progressed through the system; from standing in the terrace as a Melbourne Victory fan, to breaking through in the A-Leagues with his boyhood club at the age of 17 – plucked from their youth team before earning a move to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach as an 18-year-old.
But it is a career that’s had its challenges. He was released by Gladbach in 2021 and found game time hard to come by at Western.
However, the five-time Young Socceroo is coming out the other side.
“Every player’s story is different,” he added. “Mine is a little different getting success at such a young age and then coming back and not playing. You have to be mentally strong. That belief in yourself and just to keep going, and trust in your abilities.
“Honestly people looking from the outside in, they’re footballers what a dream to live. But in reality it’s honestly a tough gig. When stuff isn’t going well, it’s hard to keep your head, keep focused and motivated. But having a coach who can see what I can provide the team, it gives me more confidence.
“I’ve been playing with a smile recently. It’s a bit of a relief but there’s always hard work to do and to reach my goals. Hopefully in the future I can be a Socceroo.”
Theoharous’ fairytale breakout season with Kevin Muscat’s Victory in 2017-18, which cruelly ended with an injury in the famous semi-final win over Sydney FC, earned him a switch to Gladbach.
During his three years there , he trained with Germany’s FIFA Men’s World Cup winner Chris Kramer and Guinea international Ibrahima Traore, and was eventually joined by fellow Australian Jacob Italiano a year on from his arrival.
It is an experience he summed up as “disappointing but grateful”, having spent the first six months living alone – a suggestion made by his agent John Grimaud.
“Obviously I’d love to have my time back maybe and do some things differently but hindsight is a very wonderful thing,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m grateful for what I learned and what I picked up.”
One thing he did pick up was the German language. While he was at Western, he spoke German with Swiss defender Leo Lacroix and former Serbia international Aleksandar Prijovic.
But having already had a taste of European football, it has left him wanting more.
“100%. That’s one thing I want to do before I finish my career,” he said when asked if he wanted to return to Europe.
“It’s a different atmosphere. It’s a religion almost. It’s a massive aspiration for me to head back over to Europe.”
For all his passion and desire to reach the highest level, there is more to Theoharous beyond the football pitch.
Football is part of his life, outside of his own matches – he watches most Premier League games – bt, in his own words, he is a “big gamer”.
FIFA, Call of Duty and NBA2K are among his most played games, but there is one at the the top of the list at the moment – Football Manager.
“I have a few saves,” he said. “There’s one with a few boys I played with at Western. Nick Milanovic (now at Western Sydney Wanderers), Jerry Skotadis (Now at Macarthur), Dylan Pierias and Michael Ruhs. We all have a save and we’re in the Serie A at the minute, and I have AC Milan.
“We’re on the PlayStation, we have a party together. Even Connor Pain gets in there, Ben Garuccio too. I think you’ll find in the dressing room, there’s a few gamers around.
“I’ve made mates for life. We’re literally on it every other day, we’re playing Football Manager or whatever it is.
“Honestly we smash it. We spend hours on it. It’s a little bit concerning, I can’t lie.”
