Marco Rojas (Brisbane Roar)

I just don't understand why he's content being in the reserve team of Stuttgart. He'll never make it to the first team. A league like the Swiss league is a perfect suit for him. Why would he rather be playing in a reserves league than in a mid-quality European league like the Swiss league?

Who said he's content with it? He's contracted to them so he can't just walk out and find another club. For all we know he's trying as arrange a transfer, loan, or contract termination as we speak. 

Hmm, true. When does his contract run out? Hopefully he goes on loan again then.

I think he's got one more year left

He is not in the squad team photos for either VfB team so that is likely the case, if he is not in the first team the 2nd team will in the regional leagues next season so he will want to be playing at a higher level than that.

He even scored. These are the first and second team photos, no Marco on it.

VFB

VFB II

there have been numerous reports that there was a clause that his contact could be terminated of Stuttgart was relegated, so by all accounts he could have walked.

I don't remember the details but wasn't it just one report from someone random and it was repeated by other people?

This is where that statement about him having a relegation release clause came from. Wynton might think that was the case but maybe it wasn't put in the final version of the contract? 

Even if it was in the contract, kind of ironic given that at one point relegation would have seemed to be his best chance at getting some game time. Now it's Stuttgart that would benefit from that clause

wouldn't surprise me if he ends up back in the HAL soon. Victory have space (I think) so wouldn't surprise me if they make an offer. 

To be honest if Marco had set the Swiss League on fire he'd be on Thun's books as I can't imagine Stuggart are keen on paying his wages anymore. 

If Ernie got Marco to the Nix that'd be even better for us as fans.

It's hard as you want to see him give Europe a go but if he can't get decent first team action in a league like the Swiss League there's little point battling in the reserves somewhere..

Who's his manager?

his dad

Is he hanging on in Stuttgart for the coin?  His current contract could well prove to be the best he ever gets and he's milking it for what it's worth.  I'm sure you'd do the same if offers presented to you were significantly less then your current wedge.

I think his time has passed.

That's pretty sad seeing as he's only 24. Just look at Nathan Burns or even Kosta Barbourouses as examples of careers being kicked started after a slump. Rojas just needs a good run of injury free form, or to return to the A-League to get things back on track.

What he needs is to consistently be playing for a half-decent club. He's wasting his career at Stuttgart.

and Smeltzy

I think that if you step back and look at where Marco is in his career he's still doing really well for a 24yo kiwi. Yes he was picked up by a club which was too big for him and then had an injury-ravaged first season, but a couple of seasons getting game time for a mid table Swiss side is far from disappointing by kiwi footballer standards. I still think he's well placed to stick around in Europe if that's what he wants to do.

The fact that he is still there and not back in NZ for a holiday etc suggests he still sees his future in Europe.

does anyone know what kind of coin he may possibly be on in his current deal?

In 2014 the average weekly wage in the Bundesliga was 28k pounds. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-...

Even if he's on a quarter of that it's decent money!

A lot of unsustainable leagues on that chart.

I agree with those that say he is much more suited to a lesser European league. He did OK with Thun - I wouldn't say he did overly well, but still better than Bundesliga II.

Why doesn't he try to go back to Switzerland or try his luck in Belgium, Netherlands II, Portugal or even Scandinavia I really don't know.

Of the big 5 leagues in Europe the biggest disparity between the top of the table and the bottom occurs in Spain lots of the bottom teams don't have a lot of cash a player like marco would benefit from this as well as the style of football being played. Nearly all spanish teams seem to play a 4-3-3 formation manty with a more creative type CF similiar to Victory in his mvp season even the 2nd division you would think would guarantee him game time and a chance at la liga reallty needs to move on from german type leagues

He's in the first team, not the 2nds.

Marco has only played for the second team pre-season.

He's not been in the first team for any of their pre-season friendlies - and they've had two first team line-ups which they have played in games so as to get a look at the whole squad.

See discussion above ^

Been with Stuttgart during their pre season:

https://twitter.com/VfB/status/757128982152249344

Literally on the periphery:

https://twitter.com/VfB/status/756788389177913344

https://twitter.com/VfB/status/756770639130791936

On the pod they said he's been playing for the first team.

The pod is not exactly the ultimate authority, or even an acceptable authority, on anything.

You're right, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt here, they do get information direct from players like Brockie for instance that isn't published. 

played for the reserves in the southwest regional division in front of 420 people. Lost 4-1. I doubt a loan from a Bundesleague 2 is on the cards so he's going to have to suck it up, play well and be there for injuries. 

I don't know anything about their regional leagues but I'm guessing he'll need some extra strapping on his ankles in those leagues 

Chris James part 2.

One of the good things for A League clubs with their season starting later than the European leagues is that any players on the fringes at decent clubs will be motivated to go and the clubs may be motivated to save their wages so I think if any A League clubs are indeed interested in Marco then now is the time - for both parties. 

He went back with the aim of making the first team squad. He hasn't done that. He's now playing in the reserves in a league I assume is amateur? 

The fourth german league is an semi-professional league. Some clubs especially the village clubs(Walldorf, Steinbach, etc.) are amateurs and get only a small salary + bonus. Stuttgart II is a professional club like some others (Offenbach, Trier, etc.). The fourth leagues are the funniest in Germany you can play one week against a former german champion in a stadium with capacities for more than 20.000 people and the next week in a village in front of 500.

But its definitely not a league for Marco Rojas with his talent and abilities.

how clear a message can Stuttgart send to Marco and his daddy??? If Thun won't hold onto him and he is down in a silly league instead of the 2nd bundesliga JUST LEAVE ALREADY, COME HOME 

But he'd still be on good money for a while, if he sticks to his contract?

Surely it's clear as day he's staying put for the money, and why not judging by the average salary of the Bundesliga.

He could get brought out and then look to secure another contract. Gives him a cash injection and allows him to find first team football. With the ConFed cup next year it will be a good platform to relaunch his career in Europe if he comes back to the A League.

He's played a game in the reserves... is it all doom and gloom. Was it just seen as a chance to give him some extra minutes having not played yet in preseason. Go have 60mins for them as opposed to 15 for us?

Wishful thinking I know.

Come home? To Hamilton? Have you ever been to Hamilton? Sure, the Gardens are nice and it has a river but.......y'know......bit of a sharkhole.