 Nyora kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Akazvarwa muIvanjica, Kovačević akatamira kuBelgrade muna 1955 uye akabatana nehurongwa hwevechidiki hwePartizan. Akakwidziridzwa kuchikwata chekutanga muna 1958, achiita mutambo wake wekutanga mumutambo we2x1 weligi yekukunda Rijeka. Mumwaka misere yakatevera, Kovačević akabatsira Partizan kuhwina Yugoslav First League pazviitiko zvina 1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, uye 1964-65. Aivewo nhengo yechikwata chakarasikirwa neEuropean Cup Final muna 1966kuReal Madrid. Makore maviri akanga apfuura, Kovačević ndiye akanga ari mutambi mukuru mumakwikwi aya aine zvibodzwa zvinomwe, pamwe chete naSandro Mazzola naFerenc Puskás. 