Serbia national football team coach Dragan Stojkovic has stepped down following a shocking 1-0 home defeat to Albania in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The loss, which came in front of a frustrated crowd in Leskovac, left Serbia’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread and marked the end of Stojkovic’s four-year reign in charge of the national side.
Speaking after the match, Stojkovic admitted full responsibility for the disappointing result, saying that such a defeat should never have happened. The 60-year-old coach revealed he had already spoken to the leadership of the Serbian Football Association to tender his resignation, confirming that he would not travel with the team for their next qualifier against Andorra.
Stojkovic, affectionately known as “Piksi,” expressed regret over the outcome but maintained that his decision was final. He described the result as “really poor and unexpected,” acknowledging that he had discussed his departure directly with the players after the match. “It’s not a tragedy when a coach leaves,” he said. “Serbia will always have a great supporter in me. I’ve led my country with pride more than 50 times.”
The defeat to Albania further deepened Serbia’s struggles in Group K, where they now sit third behind England and Albania. The setback not only put their World Cup hopes at risk but also intensified pressure on the management amid rising fan frustration. The match had been relocated from Belgrade to Leskovac due to security concerns, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
Stojkovic, one of Serbia’s most celebrated football figures, had been appointed head coach in 2021. A former Red Star Belgrade and Marseille midfielder, he earned 84 caps for the former Yugoslavia between 1983 and 2001. Following his playing career, he transitioned into football administration and coaching, managing clubs such as Nagoya Grampus in Japan and Guangzhou in China before taking over the national team.
Local media reports suggest that former Serbian international and coach Veljko Paunovic is being considered as Stojkovic’s potential successor. Paunovic, who previously managed Reading in England and Chicago Fire in the United States, is seen as a strong candidate to steady the team ahead of the next round of qualifiers.
Stojkovic’s departure marks the end of an era for Serbian football, leaving the team searching for direction as they continue their quest for a place in the 2026 World Cup.
