Dejan Stankovic has retired from his club GC Beach Soccer to concentrate on playing on the international stage
The Swiss number nine, Dejan Stankovic, has announced his retirement from Swiss club beach soccer, wishing to focus more on his international career and playing for Switzerland.
The 33-year-old, who guided Grasshoppers Club Beach Soccer to four national titles as a player-coach, co-founded the club in the Autumn of 2011 and since then has taken them from strength to strength.
Stankovic spoke to Beach Soccer Worldwide a shortly after making his announcement…
“I’ve been at the head of Grasshopper Club Beach Soccer for seven years, and I think the main part of my decision was time.” admitted Stankovic.
“I spent all of my time and energy to do the job at 100% over the last seven years. I didn’t have enough free time for myself…”
It is true that Stankovic took the club far following its conception all those years ago, but which achievement really sticks in his mind?
“I value the five titles I have won during these seven years, but the most important achievement for me was the forming many young players through Grasshoppers, and being able to offer them my experience. Noel Ott and Glenn Hodel are just two examples; this makes me very proud.”
But this announcement doesn’t mean the end of club beach soccer all together for the big striker…
“I will play the Euro Winners Cup this year and hopefully many years ahead… but I don’t want to tell you for which team” he adds with a laugh.
Teammate, both at Grasshoppers and the Switzerland national side, Sandro Spaccarotella, has already been chosen as a replacement and will serve in the same player-coach role that Stankovic held for so many years.
“I’m really looking forward to the new assignment and teamwork” claimed the new coach. “I’m confident that we can continue on a successful path as I see a lot of potential in this team.”
