Josip Stanisic has long been more than just a supplementary player at FC Bayern. Born in Munich, he has worked his way up the ranks step by step in recent years – and is now making it clear that he wants to take the next step in his development at the record champions
In an interview with FC Bayern’s members‘ magazine 51, the 25-year-old talks openly about his roots, his path and his ambitions. „I’m still the same, I just want to get better year on year and take on more responsibility. I’m ready for more,“ Stanisic explains confidently
The Croatian international grew up in Perlach, just a few kilometers away from Säbener Strasse. „I felt very much at home there and had a very happy childhood. Football played a major role from an early age. I played for FC Perlach – and I was out on the football pitch every free minute,“ recalls the defensive all-rounder
He was shaped above all by his family. „That family comes first. And: never give up, keep going!“ says Stanisic about the values his parents passed on to him. His father’s support in particular had a lasting impact on him. After a disappointment at 1860 Munich, it was precisely this support that kept him going: „Cheer up, you can still do it! I’ll never forget that!“
Stanisic: „I’m someone who always says to myself: There’s more to come!“
His path did indeed lead him to FC Bayern via Fürstenfeldbruck. He has worn the record champions‘ jersey since 2017, celebrated titles in the youth ranks and with the amateurs, followed by his breakthrough with the professionals. He himself names a decisive moment: „But above all, I think of my first game under Julian Nagelsmann in August 2021. He put his trust in me and I performed well, fought my way into the team.“
The loan to Leverkusen in 2023 was also an important step: „The next step came in 2023 with the loan to Leverkusen, where I developed a lot as a player and as a person.“
Today, Stanisic sees himself in a new role. After his return, he was perceived differently, he says – without changing himself too much. Despite five German championships, a DFB Cup win and third place at a World Cup, his ambition remains unbroken. „I’m someone who always says to myself: there’s more to come!“ he emphasizes
His focus is clearly on the future: „But I wouldn’t say that I’ve already reached the summit. That’s why I generally prefer to look forwards rather than backwards.“