Following the defeat against Albania, the 60-year-old Dragan Stojkovic announced his resignation. Media are speculating about Veljko Paunovic as his successor.
Dragan Stojkovic has announced his resignation as coach of the Serbian national football team.
The 60-year-old drew the immediate consequence after the 0-1 loss in the World Cup qualifier against Albania. “This defeat should not have happened, and I take responsibility,” said Stojkovic at the press conference after the match.
Serbia is in third place in Group K with seven points after five games, behind the group leaders England (15), coached by Thomas Tuchel, and the Albanians (11). In the battle for a playoff ticket, the 2022 World Cup participant is under pressure. On Tuesday, they face the bottom team Andorra. Serbian media are speculating that Veljko Paunovic could succeed Stojkovic.
Stojkovic had coached Serbia in over 50 games since 2021. As a player, he was a defining figure of the Yugoslav national team and played for clubs including Red Star Belgrade, Olympique Marseille, and Nagoya Grampus Eight. After his active career, he first worked as a club president in Belgrade and later as a coach in Japan and China.