Central Coast Mariners captain Danny Vukovic retires after grand final glory

One of Australia’s most decorated goalkeepers has retired from football after leading his team to a historic treble.

A jubilant Danny Vukovic (centre) lifts the A-League trophy amid Mariners celebrations. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Treble-winning Mariners skipper Danny Vukovic will join Central Coast’s coaching staff after announcing his retirement from football in the wake of his team’s epic A-League grand final win.

The 39-year-old former Socceroos goalkeeper ended his playing career in style on Saturday night by leading the Mariners to back-to-back A-League championships with a 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory in Gosford.

The triumph also secured Central Coast a third honour for the 2023-24 season, with the Mariners also having won the A-League premiership and the AFC Cup

“I couldn’t think of a better way to go out,” Vukovic said.

“It has been so enjoyable, I have loved being a professional footballer.

“To finish it off like this, with the club where it all began in the A-League, there is nothing more fitting for me.”

Mariners stalwart Danny Vukovic has retired from football. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

After playing five times for Parramatta Power in the old National Soccer League, Vukovic made his A-League debut for the Mariners in September 2005.

He made 193 appearances in all competition for Central Coast across two stints with the club.

The evergreen custodian also had spells with four other A-League clubs – the Victory, Perth Glory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix – as well as stints in Europe with Genk (Belgium) and NEC Nijmegen (Netherland), and a loan spell with Japanese outfit Vegalta Sendai.

Vukovic was also part of the Socceroos’ World Cup squads in 2018 and 2022, and made four appearances for Australia.

“I have been feeling like the time is right for a while,” Vukovic said about his decision to retire.

“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 will now complete his coaching courses before the joining Central Coast’s coaching staff for the 2024-25 season.

“I’m really excited to go into the coaching world,” he said.

“We have two fantastic young goalkeepers in the first team (squad) and more in the younger squads, so I look forward to continuing to work with them.”