Dragan Stojković is no longer the coach of the Serbian national team.
He said this at a press conference after the match against Albania (0:1).
"I have offered my resignation to President Dragan Džajić and Secretary General Branko Radujko. I will not travel to Andorra, the team will be led by my assistant Goran Đorović. The story is over...", Stojković said.
Sport klub writes that he "resigned" during the finish of the match with Albania in Leskovac.
While fans who had been given tickets (there were none on sale) demanded his departure, Pixi, informally, stepped down from the bench.
"Stojković stood up from the bench and greeted the audience with his hands raised in the direction of the stands while the chant 'Pixie is leaving' continued. At that moment, assistant Bratislav Đorđević began to referee the match," wrote Sport Club journalist Branko Spasojević from the scene in Leskovac.
Immediately after the match, Stojković said in a statement to Arenasport that he was solely to blame.
"The result is bad, I didn't expect us to lose. The first half was fair, we had chances, we didn't take them and a penalty came before the break. We kept trying, but Albania was very organized defensively and threatened us with counterattacks."
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When asked about the status, Stojković replied:
"This is my fault - my responsibility, there is no doubt about it, so don't criticize the players, it's all up to me. What and how to do next? You know, I have been working under great pressure for a long time, I have been receiving inappropriate words and it was difficult to work in such circumstances. However, this defeat should not have happened, not because of me, but because of Serbia and I have to accept responsibility. I am at the helm of the national team and I am here to bear the consequences," said Stojković.
At a press conference, he announced that he would talk in more detail when things calm down.
"It's easy to talk, all generals are smart after the fight. You have the best intentions, you believe in an idea. You believe in some quality that you possess and you think that can bring a result. That didn't happen. I would understand if we had drawn, that would have been fine. Losing at home to a direct rival, that's a bitter taste in the mouth. I say again, that's my responsibility and don't have any doubt that I'm not aware of the situation."
Stojković is leaving the Serbia bench after four and a half years.
"Of course, I wish the players and everyone all the best. I want them to bring victories, to fight, of course I apologize to the entire nation for this defeat, but I also thank you for the support I had over these four and a half years. I sincerely thank everyone for their support, everyone who was with me and with us. Football is made up of victories and defeats, beautiful and less beautiful moments. There will be an opportunity in the coming days to get Andorra to talk, no problem. I will not hide. My responsibility, this has to end like this. My deep apologies to the nation for this defeat. Keep your heads up, this is just a game, it ended how it ended..."
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