Croatian-American Maks Kovacevic: From pro basketball to sports manager

Maks Kovacevic and Alen Bokšić (Photo: Private album)

by Srecko Mavrek

Maks Kovacevic played professional basketball until a few years ago, and has recently become a sports manager. An American from Zadar, he was born 25 years ago in New York, but spent his childhood in Zadar.

Until a few years ago, he played professional basketball for the team KK Jazine in the first league.

“I couldn’t see myself playing basketball, either because of finances or other factors. I decided to stay in sports, but today it’s football management. I am a skilled speaker, I speak languages well, I love sports, and I have many friends in sports. That’s where I feel best,” says Kovacevic and reveals his mentors: “I was given this opportunity five or six months ago by Ivan Klasnic. Also, I work with Alen Boksic, who is like an advisor, a person I can call for contacts at big clubs. It is truly a privilege to work with such renowned names.”

He recently spent 15 days in Hamburg with his mentor, former Croatia international Ivan Klasnic.  

My observation of his everyday life during these 15 days was extremely inspiring. He has a positive outlook and energy despite taking medicine every day. He does everything with incredible energy – he owns restaurants, real estate. I recently went through a family tragedy, and he helped me mentally a great deal. It is a privilege to have such a person as a friend.”

With Ivan Klasnić (Photo: Private album)

In Hamburg, Maks and Ivan attended Werder Bremen’s 125th anniversary celebration as guests of the club. “To illustrate how much they love him, when he arrived, people jumped on his car to take pictures with him. In a country where football is a superpower, that is incredible. When you see how much Claudio Pizarro, Diego, Naldo and Mertesacker value him, you understand Klasnic’s greatness. While I knew he was a great player, it was impossible for me to comprehend that he was so respected,” says Kovacevic.

Andy Bara, another well-known Croatian agent, assists him in sports management.

“He always finds time to answer my questions and give me advice, no matter what country he is in. Even though he travels a lot, he always finds time to talk with me and give me advice. I am very grateful for that. Although I am not yet an established manager, he communicates with me with great respect. It is a pleasure to work with Andy. He is very well-intentioned, and he is one of the best managers there is.”

Kovacevic’s godfather is Marijan Buljat, who is the only player who has played for the four biggest Croatian clubs – Dinamo, Hajduk, Rijeka and Osijek, and for the past ten years, he has been on the management team and has helped transfer Dominik Livakovic, Tomislav Krizmanic and Marko Rog. 

(Photo: Private album)

“Marijan is always at my disposal for advice, and I’d like to thank Marijo Kurilic from Rijeka as well, who has helped me a lot from the start and I’m confident he will make big transfers,” Kovacevic says. Additionally, he thanks Josko Gvardiol, Filip Benkovic, Filip Krovinovic, Ivo Grbic, Luka Vuskovic and Marko Rog for their support.

(Photo: Private album)

“I talk to them every day. They are my great friends. When you hear from such guys, may there be only health and happiness, then we will definitely do great business in the future. Additionally, we must mention how much advice Nenad Bjelica and Slaven Bilic provided to me. During his time in Osijek, I had a great relationship with Bjelica, and I will never forget the advice Bilic gave me during his time in England. I can only praise them both.”

(Photo: Private album)

Kovacevic works on the project ‘Time Tennis’ with Feliks Lukas in addition to football. It is a privilege to be able to learn from him, as he is one of the most capable Croatians.

Additionally, Kovacevic mentions that he is supported by Filip Ivic, goalkeeper for the Croatian national handball team.

(Photo: Private album)

In addition, he points out that former Crystal Palace and Hajduk player Steve Horvat, currently working as a sports director at Western United in Australia, helps him with player analysis and advice, so he has a good network of prospects from that continent.