Red Star Coach Stankovic Faces Crucial Israeli Challenge Again After 2022 Exit

Serbian coach Dejan Stankovic, currently managing Red Star Belgrade, is once again confronting a pivotal moment against an Israeli team, this time Hapoel Be'er Sheva, in the third qualifying round of the 2026 UEFA Champions League. Four years ago, in August 2022, Stankovic experienced a painful elimination from the competition after Red Star lost to Maccabi Haifa due to a dramatic own goal in stoppage time. Despite leading Red Star to a league title the previous season, he was dismissed just two days after that defeat.

Since then, Stankovic has coached several clubs, including Sampdoria and Ferencváros, before returning to Red Star in the summer of 2024. Now, Red Star must overturn a 1-0 first-leg loss to Hapoel Be'er Sheva to advance further in the Champions League qualifiers. Serbian media report that another elimination by an Israeli club could again jeopardize Stankovic's position as head coach.

Following the recent defeat, Stankovic was visibly upset, with Serbian outlets describing his reaction as "panic," reflecting the high stakes for Red Star. The pressure is intensified by the perceived disparity in squad value, with Red Star's player Vasili Kostov reportedly worth more than the entire Hapoel Be'er Sheva roster. Stankovic hopes to overcome this challenge and avoid repeating the difficult experience he faced against Israeli teams in recent years. A victory in the upcoming return leg could significantly alter his standing and the club's trajectory in the Champions League.