Marko Nikolic career

Marko Nikolic was born in Belgrade on the 20th July 1979. He started his playing career with local side FK Rad and then went on loan to Dorcol. However, he was forced to stop playing at an early age due to an injury and started coaching for a youth team.

He was moved up to the first team in 2008 and at the age of 30 made his debut as a manager in the Serbian first division. Nikolic managed FK Rad from October 2008 until May 2011. He then coached the Serbian U18 national side the following season. He returned to Rad and was on the bench for a further 47 games before moving to Vojvodina in 2013. The next step was Belgrade side Partizan who he joined in 2014 and guided them to the Europa League Group Stage.

He had a short time in charge of Slovenian side Olimipija Ljubljana in 2016. However, he was to return back to Partizan in August 2016. The black and whites had him as manager for 40 games and he averaged 2,65 points for the team. It was no surprise when he managed them to the league and cup double. He was manager of Partizan in a friendly game in November 2016 that saw Vidi win 1-0 thanks to a goal from Robert Feczesin. 

Marko Nikolic at Vidi

Marko Nikolic became Vidi manager on the 6th June 2017. He has led Vidi to the league title and Hungarian cup success in the last two years. There was also the EL play off in 2017. Vidi were to go one better in 2018 when defeat in the CL play off meant the group stage of the Europa League. Vidi had only qualified for the group stage once previously in 2012. They collected 6 points then but under Nikolic, the red and blues managed 7 points in the group with two wins and a draw. That makes Marko Nikolic the most successful manager of Vidi in just two years. 

Marko Nikolic has won 58 games in charge of Vidi with 25 drawn and 20 defeats. The goal difference reads 176-96. His longest unbeaten run came from 9th February - 20th April with 13 games remaining unbeaten. Those included 12 wins and a draw. Vidi beat Bp Honved 2-1 in the Hungarian cup final on the 25th May 2019. That meant Vidi lifting the trophy for the second time and Marko Nikolic has become the first manager of the club to lift the league title and Hungarian cup. 

The new 2019-2020 season has kicked off with Vidi progressing past FK Zeta with a 5-1 aggregate scoreline. They will now face Vaduz in the next round.

Happy 40th Birthday Marko Nikolic!