Markus Pink: From car salesman to top scorer in the Bundesliga?

Klagenfurt’s attacker scored 16 goals in the first 22 rounds, three more than his closest pursuer, Guido Burgstaller. In the last four games of the regular season, Pink always wrote. In the championship group, the 32-year-old can prove himself again and advertise himself: his contract with Austria expires in the summer.

As an 18-year-old, the offensive player, who grew up near Klagenfurt, made his Bundesliga debut for Austria Kärnten in April 2009. Opponent was Rapid, Peter Pacult was on the sideline of the Viennese. Years later it would be a reunion. For Austria Kärnten it was soon over. The club, which was founded thanks to Governor Jörg Haider, had to file for bankruptcy a year later. Pink went to Austria Klagenfurt and on to ASKÖ Köttmannsdorf in the state league.

Car salesman and national league kicker

It is well known that the 20-year-old did not earn his money with football but as a car salesman. Football became a “minor matter”. The then Vienna coach Alfred Tatar brought him back to the second division a year later after Pink had also convinced in the friendly. “We had a game against Kuban Krasnodar when it was almost 40 degrees. I knew straight away that this was our man. He showed in this game what distinguishes him today: Physical robustness and an incredible nose for goals,” recalled the current player Sky expert Tatar.

In Vienna, too, the young Pink soon had to cope with a career-endangering situation. He fell ill with glandular fever. “I was really lucky because I ignored it before it was recognized and it even hit my heart. Only a doctor from Velden made it possible for me to heal. Before that, the end of my career had been suggested to me,” reported Pink in the Bundesliga interview.

Successes in Mattersburg

Only one season later, Tatar continued to Burgenland. SV Mattersburg was the next stop, the Pappelstadion was to remain the home ground for five years. In 2015, Pink celebrated promotion to the Bundesliga with Mattersburg, and he himself was the top scorer with 21 goals in 23 appearances. When the contract with Burgenland expired in 2018, the 1.88 meter man moved to Graz. It didn’t really work out in the storm, and even a six-month engagement with Admira didn’t end as desired in 2020.

The step to second-class Austria from Klagenfurt followed. Back home, pink blossomed again. 18 goals in his first season in the 2nd division, 12 after promotion to the Bundesliga last season. Pink filled the dozen this year before Christmas. He is humble. “Without the team I wouldn’t get any chances, then it would be difficult for me too.” Pacult, who has been working in Klagenfurt since January 2021, can claim to have teased out the striker’s potential. For managing director Matthias Imhof, Pink is more than just the number one goalscorer: “He’s the leader and Peter Pacult’s right hand on the field.”

It is unclear how the attacker is doing for the rest of the season. During the winter break, Reggina wanted to guide the Carinthian to the Italian Serie B. However, the clubs could not agree on the transfer fee. Pink admitted that going abroad is a goal and he “would have gladly accepted the offer”. But he will continue to give everything for Klagenfurt. As the free transfer king, Pink will probably have the chance to change scenery in the summer.