Serbia Coach Stojković Faces Calls to Resign After Home Loss to Albania
BELGRADE, Serbia – Serbia national team coach Dragan Stojković is facing mounting pressure to resign following a 1-0 defeat to rival Albania on Saturday. The loss at home has sparked calls for his departure from supporters and intensified criticism from Serbian media, potentially jeopardizing his position since taking the helm in 2021.
According to reports from Sportklub and Telegraf.rs, fans chanted for Stojković to leave during and after the match. Telegraf.rs published a headline stating,”Piksi (Stojković),if you have any courage you will leave tonight.”
“The result is bad. I did not expect us to lose,” Stojković said,according to Telegraf.rs.
During the match, Sportklub reported that Stojković stood and acknowledged the critical fans calling for his removal. The site speculates that Bratislav Živković could be a potential interim replacement.
Stojković has accepted responsibility for the team’s performance. “This is my fault, my responsibility. No doubt.Don’t criticize the players. I am the one who led the team. I tried to do everything,” he stated.
Telegraf.rs reports that Stojković is expected to leave his post. “We must accept the responsibility. I accept it, of course. I’m the one who takes out the team. I’m here to take the consequences,” the Serbian coach said.
The defeat leaves Serbia with eight points in their qualifying group, trailing leader England with three matches remaining, diminishing their chances of automatic qualification for the World Cup.
