Life has gone full circle in a very short space of time for Christian Theoharous, as he prepares to return to the A-League in Western United colours against his former club, Melbourne Victory, in opening day of the season action this weekend.

After an impressive break-out 19-game stint in Victory’s 2018 championship winning season, the exciting Australian Under-20 talent was soon on his way to the big leagues of Europe after being snapped up by Bundesliga giants, Borussia Monchengladbach.

Theoharous spent three years in Germany and delivered 4 goals in 26 appearances for Monchengladbach II, but without a contract extension on the horizon, an offer to come home and join Western United for the 2021/22 A-League season was perfect timing for all parties concerned.

“I still had a couple of months on my contract to run, and it didn’t look as though I was going to be re-signed. I was planning to move on, then the CEO Chris Pehlivanis at Western United got in contact with me.”

“He was the first person I spoke to in terms of coming back, and everything that he said to me was promising. He told me the club had ambition and, I guess, after the whole COVID period overseas, coming home was also a bit of a priority for me.”

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Former Socceroos John Aloisi (United) and Tony Popovic (Victory) will be in opposite dugouts on Saturday. Both will look to get their respective clubs back on track after disappointing finishes to last season. In the face of Melbourne City being crowned champions, a 10th place finish for United, and a wooden spoon for Victory, means there’s plenty of room for improvement this time around.

“When Chris (Pehlivanis) told me that John Aloisi had been appointed as coach at Western United, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to develop my game even further. He was a massive player and probably one of the best attackers Australia has ever had. He was also my coach at Melbourne Victory Youth, and his training sessions are unbelievable – not only intense, but he knows how to bring out the best of us, and he knows what I can bring to the team.”

And it appears the demands of being a professional football are enhancing the young Theoharous’s football development.

“It was a tough three years (in Germany), but I don’t regret anything about it. It developed my game a lot. It’s made me who I am today, as a person and as a footballer. It wasn’t easy, but football is football and I’d like to think I’ve matured and gained experience. I’m looking forward to the future now and what I can show on the field.

“Borussia was also in the Champions League when I was there, and the standard was very high. You learn so much from them, especially what it’s like to be a proper professional footballer. You improve so much and learn every day from them. The best way to improve is to be around really good players.”
And the 21-year-old Theoharous hopes to continue in the same vain in his new surrounds with the Green & Black Brigade.

“I’d like to concentrate on giving my best to Western United for now. I want to get as much game time as I possibly can, and I feel like I can give everything to help the team as much as I can. But no doubt about it, I’m still young, and one day I’d like to give Europe another crack. My goal is to ultimately play for Australia, or even Greece one day.
Theoharous will be joining a strong influx of new players at the club and is confident the boys will deliver.

“Our recruitment team has been exceptional, bringing in Leo Lacroix at centre-back, and Aleksander Prijovic, who won a championship in Greece with PAOK. He’s an exceptional player. I think he will be one of the best strikers in the A-League this season.”

“The club has also brought in Rene Krhin in midfield, and we’ve got Alessandro Diamanti of course, plus we’ve got some good younger players coming up through the ranks too. As a group we know how to push each other. The standards are high, and we’ve got three very, very good coaches in head coach John Aloisi, and his assistants, Foxy (Hayden Fox), and Johnny A (John Anastasiadis). They know what it takes to win. And they know what it’s like to play on the big stage.”

And believe it or not, even though the world was growing painfully tired of them, the Western United pre-season preparations had an unlikely helping hand.

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“Lockdown was a blessing in disguise for us because we had an exemption and we pretty much trained full-time. It allowed us to be more professional without the distractions. We could really focus on getting sharp and getting ready for the start of the new season. That’s kind of what it’s like as a professional footballer in Europe anyway. That’s your lifestyle. East, sleep, and drink football. I think it’s helped us to become a tighter knitted group quicker, and as a group we’re all really looking forward and excited about the new season. I’m looking forward to showing the Western United fans what we’re capable of. I think we can compete.”

If pedigree has got anything to do with it, then you can’t go too far past Theoharous football stock.

Christian’s father, Andrew, was a midfield maestro of his own accord, weaving his midfield magic with the likes of Caulfield City, Heidelberg United and Bentleigh Greens in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

“Obviously I wouldn’t be where I am today without my dad. I remember when I was younger we would always work on the technical stuff in the garden. He drives and motivates me a lot. He’s my biggest fan. He took me here, there and everywhere, around Melbourne for football. I was too young, but everyone tells me he was a bit of a good player, and I guess if he had the same opportunities I had, then I’m sure he would have made it as a pro overseas. But he still played NSL, which is pretty good. I was still a bit young back then, so I don’t remember much, but I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

After branching out to Germany, the seed is now sown for season 2021/22 and Western United’s Christian Theoharous looks set to blossom for another A-League season.

A-League Matchweek 1

Saturday, November 20

  • Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC CommBank Stadium 7:45pm
  • Western United vs Melbourne Victory GMHBA Stadium 7:45pm
  • Perth Glory vs Adelaide United HBF Park 10:05pm

Sunday, November 21

  • Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners McDonald Jones Stadium 4:05pm
  • Macarthur FC vs Wellington Phoenix Campbelltown Stadium 6:05pm