Dian Stankovic Resigns as Red Star Belgrade Coach After Defeat by Israeli Team

Dian Stankovic has officially resigned as head coach of Red Star Belgrade following a 2-0 away loss to Hapoel Be'er Sheva, which eliminated the Serbian club from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The defeat on August 11, 2026, marked a significant setback for Red Star, who failed to advance to the playoff round after losing the series 3-0 on aggregate. Minutes after the match, Stankovic gathered his players in the locker room and announced his departure, fulfilling a prior promise to resign if the team did not qualify for the Champions League.

This marks Stankovic's second tenure with Red Star, with his previous stint ending similarly in 2022 after elimination by Maccabi Haifa in the same competition. Serbian media reported that the team appeared helpless during the match and criticized Stankovic for failing to find solutions. Additionally, the coach was sent off after spitting towards the referee, an incident described as a disgraceful end to his second coaching period at the club.

Red Star's management scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss potential replacements as they seek to rebuild the team following this disappointing exit. Meanwhile, celebrations continue in Be'er Sheva, where the Israeli club secured a historic victory and advanced to the Champions League playoff stage for the first time.

The resignation underscores the high stakes and intense pressure surrounding European football qualification, especially for clubs with storied histories like Red Star Belgrade.