Full Breakdown
Dragan Stojkovic Resigns as Serbia National Team Coach Following Defeat to Albania
10/12/2025, 8:06:59 PM
Resignation After Disappointing Loss
Dragan Stojkovic has resigned as head coach of the Serbian national football team following a 1-0 defeat to Albania in a World Cup qualifying match on October 12, 2025. The match, relocated to Leskovac due to security concerns stemming from historical political tensions between the two nations, marked Serbia's second consecutive loss, having previously suffered a 5-0 defeat to England. The only goal of the match was scored by Rey Manaj, which propelled Albania into second place in Group K, leaving Serbia in third with nine points, behind England's 15 points and Albania's 11.
Stojkovic's Tenure and Accountability
Stojkovic, who took over the Serbian national team in 2021, led the squad to the 2022 World Cup, where they finished last in their group with just one point. In his resignation announcement, he stated, “I personally did not expect this defeat. I am someone who accepts full responsibility and is solely accountable.” He confirmed that he would not coach the upcoming match against Andorra, emphasizing the disappointing nature of the result and his commitment to facing the consequences of the team's performance.
Official Statements & Responses
The Serbian Football Association acknowledged Stojkovic's contributions during his tenure, particularly in qualifying for major tournaments. They expressed gratitude for his efforts over the past four and a half years. Stojkovic himself reflected on his time as coach, stating, “I leave with pride. There have been good things and good results, but tonight's result was truly disappointing.”
Criticism & Opposition
The defeat against Albania was met with discontent from fans, with chants calling for Stojkovic's resignation during the match. Critics have pointed to the team's poor performance in recent qualifiers as indicative of deeper issues within the squad and coaching strategy.
What's Next for Serbia
Following Stojkovic's resignation, Zoran Mirkovic, the Under-21 coach, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the upcoming match against Andorra. The Serbian Football Association is expected to convene on Friday to discuss further changes in the national team setup, including potential candidates to permanently replace Stojkovic.
Conclusion
Dragan Stojkovic's resignation underscores the challenges faced by the Serbian national team in the current World Cup qualifying campaign. With the team now looking for new leadership, the focus will shift to their next match against Andorra and the broader implications for the future of Serbian football.
