Serbia in Crisis: Dragan Stojkovic Resigns After Shock Albania Defeat Complicates England's Group K Dynamics
Serbia's football crisis deepens as manager Dragan Stojkovic resigns following a 1-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Albania, reshaping Group K dynamics and England's path to 2026 qualification.
Stojkovic's Sudden Exit Shakes Balkan Football
Dragan Stojkovic dramatically ended his three-year tenure as Serbia manager minutes after Saturday's crucial 1-0 defeat to political rivals Albania in Leskovac. The former Yugoslavia legend (84 caps) faced mounting pressure following:
- Back-to-back qualifying losses
- A humiliating 5-0 defeat by England in September
- Serbia's precarious 3rd-place Group K position
| Key Match Stats | Serbia | Albania |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 2 |
| Fouls Committed | 18 | 14 |
Political Tensions Overshadow Fixture
UEFA relocated the match from Belgrade to Leskovac due to:
- Historical ethnic tensions dating to Kosovo conflict
- Security concerns over nationalist chants
- Previous crowd trouble in 2014 qualifier
England's Qualification Pathway
Gareth Southgate's squad can secure World Cup berth Tuesday with:
- Current group standing: England (15 pts), Albania (11), Serbia (7)
- Required result: Win vs Latvia in Riga
- Potential early qualification scenarios
What's Next for Serbia?
The Football Association of Serbia must now:
- Appoint interim manager before Andorra clash
- Address defensive vulnerabilities (6 goals conceded in 3 games)
- Rebuild team chemistry ahead of March fixtures
"This resignation shows the brutal reality of international management," former Serbia captain Nemanja Vidić told BBC Sport. "The Albania defeat wasn't just about football - it's a national embarrassment."
Watch: England vs Latvia highlights - Tuesday 14 Oct, BBC iPlayer Listen: Full analysis on BBC 5 Live's World Cup Qualifier Special
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