The 37-year-old became accustomed to winning and not settling for second in a decorated career in the old National Soccer League and the Victorian Premier League.

The St Albans man takes pride in his record of more than 120 national league games with the Melbourne Knights, including two titles and standing alongside this town's soccer royalty such as Mark Viduka, Danny Tiatto and Andrew Marth.

His longevity in the game was just as impressive with more than 250 games in the VPL, including four titles with the Green Gully Cavaliers.

"I'm 37 and my body told me it's time to give it up," he said.

"I've had an ankle reconstruction and two knee operations.

"When you're younger you think you can play until you're 50, but your body eventually catches up with you."

The next phase of Markovski's career was to coach.

He could not envisage a life without soccer and is grateful to be given the opportunity to lead Sydenham Park.

However, he is aware of the enormous task he has to lift the club that finished third overall in the recent Macedonian Cup to challenge for promotion in the notoriously difficult state league 2.

"I reckon division two is harder to get out of than division one," he said. "In division two it's a real dog fight, it's a real competitive and hungry league where only one team gets promoted."

Markovski has played with and under great players and coaches over his time.

But, when he barks instructions to his players, it's likely a bit of the advice he received from Ian Dobson will be echoed to his players.

"I learnt a lot from him," Markovski said. "He was like a father figure to me."

Markovski has assembled a core of four or five senior players to mesh with a crop of talented youngsters.

He will rely on the leadership of Peter Dimovski, Johnny Cvetanovski and Aco Stefanovic to guide the youngsters. "I'm bringing in some young kids to give the club a different direction," he said.

Nevertheless, expect Sydenham Park to punch above its weight under Markovski.

"I'm a winner - I hate losing," he said. "My aim is to get into the top five this season and I reckon we'll give it a good shake."