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Serbia appoint Stojkovic in time for World Cup qualifier with Ireland

Yugoslav legend Dragan Stojkovic has been appointed as Serbia's new head coach in time for this mont...


Serbia appoint Stojkovic in ti...

Sport

Serbia appoint Stojkovic in time for World Cup qualifier with Ireland


Yugoslav legend Dragan Stojkovic has been appointed as Serbia's new head coach in time for this month's World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland. 

The 56-year old replaces Ljubisa Tumbakovic who was sacked in December after Serbia failed to reach the finals of Euro 2020.

They lost out to Scotland on a penalty shoot-out in Belgrade.

Stephen Kenny's Ireland side are due to travel to the Serbian capital for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in less than three-weeks' time.

He's signed a contract until the end of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. Stojkovic will be assisted by former international teammates Bratislav Zivkovic and Goran Djorovic.

Stojkovic's managerial career has seen him spend five years in charge of Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F. Before that he was in charge of Nagoya Grampus in the Japanese J-League.

During his 84 international caps, Stojkovic faced Ireland only once. He captained Yugoslavia to a 1-0 win at home to Mick McCarthy's side in a Euro 2000 qualifier in Belgrade in 1998.

He was part of a talented young Yugoslav side that won bronze at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Stojkovic was a key member of the team that played at Italia 90, and captained a Serbia/Montenegro coalition under the Yugoslavia banner at France '98.

Stojkovic missed out on a European Cup medal in 1991, having moved to Marseille from the side that beat them on penalties, Red Star Belgrade, the summer prior.

Three days after the game with Ireland, Serbia will play host to Portugal.

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Dragan Stojkovic Qatar 2022 Republic Of Ireland Serbia World Cup Qualifiers Yugoslavia

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