Vlatko Markovic, 76, top Croatian soccer player
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS September 24, 2013 11:58PM
FILE In this Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 file photo, Vlatko Markovic, former head of Croatian Soccer Federation attends a news conference in Zagreb, Croatia. The Federation said Markovic died early Monday, Sept. 23, 2013 in a Zagreb hospital after being admitted with pneumonia. He was 76. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
Updated: September 27, 2013 10:41PM
ZAGREB, Croatia — Vlatko Markovic, a former top player and coach who also led the Croatian Football Federation, has died. He was 76.
The federation said Mr. Markovic died early Monday in a Zagreb hospital after being admitted with pneumonia. He had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
The Bosnian-born Mr. Markovic played as a midfielder for Celik Zenica, Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Vienna and FC Austria during his career. He later coached Dinamo Zagreb, Standard Liege, Nice, Rapid Vienna, Hajduk Split and the Croatian national team when it split from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.
Mr. Markovic led the Croatian Football Federation as its president between 1998 and 2012.
Mr. Markovic retired from playing in 1969.
AP
