After just eight months at The Hawthorns, Socceroo Tom Rogic has been released by West Bromwich Albion.
In the international wilderness and without a club, 2022-23 has been a season not many saw coming for Tom Rogic.
After nine years and 16 trophies with Celtic, having earned legendary status at Parkhead, the ‘Wizard of Oz’ opted for a fresh challenge. That fresh challenge, surprisingly, was Championship outfit West Brom in September.
Rogic – who missed last year’s FIFA Men’s World Cup having withdrawn from the play-offs due to “personal reasons” – was coming off a double-winning season under Ange Postecoglou in Glasgow, but just eight months on from his arrival at The Hawthorns, the Socceroo is a free agent.
West Brom had the option to extend his contract by a further year. However, the 30-year-old was among the players released after starting just four league games this season – he only managed less starts in 2014-15 (0) due to injuries that forced him to miss the 2014 World Cup and 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
Was the writing on the wall?
It is important to point out Rogic was signed by former West Brom boss Steve Bruce.
The A-Leagues graduate was heavily linked with a move to Asia, a reunion with Neil Lennon in Cyprus and even talk of a shock retirement.
Rogic had also spent time time back in Australia in July as he searched for a new club; Socceroos boss Graham Arnold expressed concerns, but Postecoglou played it all down.
“I haven’t read anything, I haven’t seen anything … I texted him and didn’t get a reply,” Arnold had told News Corp. “I am concerned about Tommy but I know the PFA are looking into it.”
In response, Postecoglou said: “I’d be more concerned if he was out there talking to people. Leave him alone, he’s fine. He’ll get his next move done and I’m sure he’s in a great place. As far as I know, and I haven’t been in contact with him, but the people I know say that he’s got no problems.”
Eventually, Rogic was lured to the west Midlands.
“Tom is a quality player who has played nearly 300 games for Celtic, including a significant number of games just last season,” Bruce said at the time of the announcement.
“He has proven to be a quality player, a serial winner, and a top professional. He can play in several positions across midfield and I’m confident he will prove to be a great acquisition for the club. I’m delighted to have him with us.”
However, Bruce was sacked by West Brom in October, with the Baggies winless in eight matches and in the relegation zone.
Rogic had been dealing with injuries to start the season and while there were flashes of his quality under new boss Carlos Corberan, he was often left out by the Spaniard.
He finished the Championship campaign with 20 appearances, one goal, three assists and 578 minutes of action – his least amount of football since he missed 2014-15 through injury.
For West Brom’s final game of the season, he was an unused substitute, having not been in the squad for the penultimate fixture. His last appearance was on April 23 – a one-minute cameo against Sunderland.
“It’s complicated sometimes to give you the answer. I know how good a player Rogic is and how hard it is to leave a player out who could be in the first XI – not just someone who could be on the bench. We can play with a specific number 10, and then a specific 10 on the bench,” Corberan had said in February.
“Or, you play with a number 10 and a player who has a different profile, and you don’t take two seats on the bench with two players who give you the same. It depends more on this than the player.
“I can only tell you that to leave Rogic out of the squad is totally unfair on him. Sometimes to leave out another player is unfair for him too.
“When you have a squad with lots of players, you have a problem – you’re leaving out good players. When you have a squad without enough good first-team players, you don’t have players who can play at the same level if someone is injured. At the end, I think fortunately we have very good players.
“Some players are going to manage difficulties very well, difficulties as a coach for me and for the players, it’s all about our journey together. I only can involve 16 outfield players in the team every game, and I have 20 very good players. Four will be out of the group, when they’re working well – as they are – it means that every decision you make might be the right one, but it’s unfair.
“This is one of the worst parts for me as a coach – to make unfair decisions.”
More recently, Corberan has spoken of an injury that has held back Rogic at West Brom.
Earlier this month, the Baggies boss revealed the Socceroos midfielder was still struggling with the effects of a hamstring injury in early March, which limited his game time.
“With Rogic, as I’ve told you he’s not been ready for the last two months,” Corberan said.
“He has not been in a normal condition, so he’s just been able to play 10-15 minutes.
“That’s why, at this last period of the competition, it affects us in terms of how many players we have to compete.”
Where could he land next?
After such a steady run at Celtic, Rogic now finds himself searching for his second team in as many seasons.
Talk of a move to Indonesia has also re-emerged. Persija Jakarta were reportedly first to make contact with Rogic when he left Celtic at the end of 2021-22.
Now, the Indonesian side who finished second in Liga 1 this term under former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Doll, are thought to be back in for the Socceroos midfielder according to local reports. It’s worth noting Persija are also a sister club of Brisbane Roar.
Could Rogic return to the team where he made his name – Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Finalists Central Coast Mariners – or another team in his homeland as a marquee?
There is also Belgian outfit Standard Liege, who are coached by his former boss Ronny Deila. Belgium and Australia have a rich footballing history as Melbourne City’s Jordy Bos prepares to make the move to Westerlo.
Perhaps, lucrative money on offer in Qatar could tempt him? Or even remaining in the Championship with the free agent potentially an attractive option for relegated Southampton?
Only time will tell where Rogic ends up.
