Asian Icons
Vukovic was in goal as the Gosford-based club defeated Al Ahed in the AFC Cup final earlier this month and also captained the team that won the A-League Premiers Plate before a 3-1 extra-time win over Melbourne Victory to retain the A-League Championship on Saturday.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to go out. It has been so enjoyable; I have loved being a professional footballer,” said the 39-year-old. “To finish it off like this, with the club where it all began in the A-League, there is nothing more fitting for me.
“I have been feeling like the time is right for a while, it has a lot to do with my family and my boys. I can be replaced as a goalkeeper, but I can’t be replaced as a father and that is what it comes down to for me.”
Vukovic brings down the curtain on his career at the end of his second stint with the Mariners having also played for Wellington Phoneix, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Perth Glory as well as representing Australia on four occasions.
He won the A-League Premiership and the A-League Championship twice with Central Coast and also won both titles while with Sydney FC in the 2016-17 season. He was also part of the Genk side that claimed the Belgian league title in 2018-19.
“I’m really excited to go into the coaching world, we have two fantastic young goalkeepers in the first team and more in the younger squads, so I look forward to continuing to work with them,” Vukovic said of his future plans.
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