A major scandal has erupted in the Serbian football world. Legendary coach Dejan Stanković has officially left his post as head coach of Red Star Belgrade. This decision followed the team's catastrophic elimination by Israeli side Hapoel in the Champions League qualifiers. Events unfolded rapidly: from loud booing from the stands to an emergency board meeting.
Political Crisis in the Club
The situation within the red-and-white camp has spiraled out of control. General Director Zvezdan Terzić, commenting to Meridian Sport, admitted the season was a total failure. According to him, he cannot recall a worse performance in Red Star's history. Terzić was not afraid to state that even he, sitting in the stands, would have demanded the resignation of the management and the coach. As a measure to resolve the crisis and respond to fan demands, the club announced extraordinary board elections to be held in December 2026.
On-Field Scandal and Harsh Fan Reaction
Dejan Stanković's final match as head coach ended not just in defeat, but in an open conflict with the fans. As the specialist headed to the locker room after the loss, he was met with loud booing. Stanković did not remain silent in the face of critics and gestured to the fans to be even louder. This specific episode became the last straw, prompting the coach to resign voluntarily without waiting for an order from the management.
Search for a New Leader and Deadline
Despite the massive political reset, the sporting agenda requires an immediate solution. The Red Star Belgrade management has set a strict deadline: the name of the new head coach must be officially announced by midnight this coming Friday. Negotiations with candidates are underway non-stop. Fans have already received official apologies from management for the European failure, but now all attention is focused on who can restore the club's reputation.
Stanković's Legacy: From Triumph to Fiasco
Dejan Stanković took charge of the Belgrade collective for the second time in 2025. The previous season under his leadership was triumphant: the team secured the golden double, winning the Serbian Championship and the National Cup. Additionally, Stanković managed to lead the team to the Europa League play-offs. However, he failed to secure a spot in the group stage of the main European competition this time, which became the reason for his departure.
