ECFC Welcomes Stankovic New Men’s Head Coach

CHICAGO — Edgewater Castle Football Club announced Aug. 31 Al Stankovic will take the helm of the USL League Two team. 

Stankovic moves up the chain of command in ECFC, starting as a player in 2022 and coaching the U23 team, and becomes the fourth beach coach in program history. 

His own growth within the organization, Stankovic said, is valuable, as connections between coaches and players are stronger when there’s a mutual understanding across the team. 

“I played [with ECFC] so I know what the club is about,” Stankovic said. “I know the expectations as a player and as a coach, and hopefully that helps the players that are coming in see, ‘This guy knows what we’re going through, he’s already done it.’” 

For Stankovic, becoming a coach was a natural progression in his soccer career. He started playing as early as he could remember, following in the footsteps of his family. The 34-year-old Serbian moved to the United States to play collegiate soccer at Oakland City University from 2011-14. 

Stankovic gained coaching experience working at soccer camps for his collegiate team. Following his graduation in 2015, he landed his first coaching position in Louisville, KY for United 96 FC’s U11 team. Stankovic remained with the team for a few years, watching them age out of the program. 

This, according to Stankovic, and the love of the game, are reasons why he said he became a coach. 

“I wanted to stay in soccer and help the other players love the game as much as I love it and give back to the game that gave me so much,” Stankovic said.

Stankovic said fans — or the “12th player” in his eyes — can expect to see a wide variety of playing styles, while also watching a persevering, technically-sound team. 

Stankovic has brought on Igor Stjepic and former Rook Rui Reis to the sidelines as assistant coaches. 

As the Rooks step into their second season in the USL League Two, their new leader is determined to create a successful product on and off the pitch. 

“I’m excited for the project, for the work that is waiting for me and all the people that are gonna be involved,” Stankovic said. “Where Edgewater is going is very exciting.”