Serbia Coach Resigned After Sensational Defeat to Albania.

Coach Resignation

According to The Sun: The head coach of the Serbian national team Dragan Stojkovic unexpectedly resigned after the defeat to Albania.

The only goal in the World Cup qualifying match was scored by former Watford player Rey Manaj at the end of the first half at the Dubocica stadium.

This defeat was Serbia's second in a row, as the team previously lost 0:5 to England in September.

At the moment, Serbia is in third place in Group K with seven points, four points behind rivals from Albania.

The defeat to Albania was particularly bitter due to the long-standing disputes between the two countries related to history and politics, especially the situation surrounding Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.

Albania supported Kosovo, while Serbia did not recognize it, leading to prolonged tensions between the countries, and conflicts often spill over onto the football field.

This is confirmed by the incident in 2014 when the match between these teams was stopped due to a brawl triggered by a drone carrying the Albanian flag flying over the field.

Stojkovic's Decision

Stojkovic, who is 60 years old, noted that he had already spoken with the president and the secretary general even before the post-match press conference.

He believed that the team should have won against Albania and improved its chances of qualifying for the World Cup next summer.

“I spoke with the president and the secretary general, and I offered my resignation.”

“I personally did not expect this defeat.”

“I am the one who takes full responsibility and bears it myself.”

Stojkovic's resignation came just days before Serbia's match against Andorra, which will take place on Friday at FAF Stadium.

The Serbian Football Association confirmed that the new head coach of the team became youth coach Zoran Mirkovic, who will be assisted by coaching staff members: Strahinja Pandurovic, Lazar Tomatic, Alexander Kirovski, Dejan Odavic, and Bogdan Milicevic.

The Serbian Football Association thanked Dragan Stojkovic for his work over the last four and a half years as head coach.

Among the team's achievements are qualifications for the World and European Championships, first place in League B of the Nations League, and maintaining elite status in European football.

Stojkovic took charge of the Serbian national team in 2021 and played 55 matches, including participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Euro 2024.

Stojkovic's resignation is prompted by the recent failures on the field, highlighting the seriousness of the situation in the team amid intense competition in the World Cup qualifying group stage. Now Serbia will have to adapt to new conditions and find competitiveness under the guidance of a new coach.

The transition to a new coach could be a turning point for the Serbian national team, as upcoming matches could significantly impact their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. It remains to be hoped that the changes will bring positive results for the team and their fans.