Originally published in The Times of India on June 26, 2020
Hyderabad: Hyderabad FC midfielder Marko Stankovic has announced retirement from professional football, drawing curtains on a 17-year career.
Announcing his retirement on Instagram, the 34-year-old posted, “Hello guys. I’m officially retiring from professional football. Hard decision, but well prepared. Thank you to everyone who supported me, first of all, thank you to my family, my friend, teammates, my supporters. Keep supporting me, I’ll always stay in football.”
The Austrian made 38 ISL appearances across three seasons from 2018 to 2020, with FC Pune City and Hyderabad FC. He registered four goals and five assists over the three seasons, with a passing accuracy of 72%.
As one of Hyderabad FC’s key players in the 2019-20 ISL season, he notched 2 goals and 1 assist across 15 matches. Playing as a central midfielder, Stankovic often controlled the midfield, delivering 833 passes, 29 shots and 5 crosses. He contributed to the defence as well, making 39 tackles, 34 clearances and 20 interceptions.
Starting out at the youth team of Austrian club DSV Leoben, Stankovic joined the senior team and made 96 appearances across 4 years from 2003 to 2007. The midfielder joined SK Sturm Graz on a free transfer in 2007.
After a brief stint with Italian club Triestina, he joined Austria Wien on a free transfer in 2010. He scored 23 goals and provided 15 assists in 126 games from 2010 to 2014. He helped the team win the 2012-13 Austrian Football Bundesliga.
In 2014, he returned to Sturm Graz and played 53 games across 3 years. In 2018, Stankovic joined ISL club FC Pune City on a free transfer, and worked with former Hyderabad FC manager Phil Brown.
The midfielder won a national team cap for one match in 2008.
Stankovic was described as an experienced midfielder who was creative and energetic, had good ball control in the midfield and was adept at decision making during the game. He could play as a defensive midfielder as well.
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