World Cup dream is in danger of bursting
National coach resigns after defeat
October 12, 2025 – 8:00 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The defeat against Albania was one too many for Dragan Stojković. Serbia’s national coach resigns from his position.
The 0-1 loss against Albania has consequences: Serbia’s national coach Dragan Stojković has resigned after missing success in the World Cup qualifier. That evening he told reporters: “This defeat should not have happened, I take responsibility for it.”
The 60-year-old said that he had already submitted his resignation to the president and general secretary of the Serbian association. “I won’t be traveling to Andorra to look after the team,” he announced. The association confirmed that U21 coach Zoran Mirković will be responsible for looking after the team in the next game on Tuesday.
The defeat in Leskovac at home represents a bitter setback in the fight for participation in the World Cup. Serbia is currently only in third place in qualification group K. Next year’s tournament is becoming increasingly distant.
The Serbian group is clearly led by the English under coach Thomas Tuchel. After the victory thanks to Rey Manaj’s goal, Albania is now four points ahead of Serbia in second place and can hope to take part in the World Cup playoffs.
Stojković had looked after the Serbian national team for four years and led them to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He recently came under a lot of pressure after the 5-0 defeat against England.