Red Star Belgrade to Release 10 Players Following Champions League Exit to Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Red Star Belgrade is undergoing significant changes after being eliminated by Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The Serbian club saw the resignation of coach Dejan Stanković, who was replaced by Albert Riera. Now, the team is preparing for a major roster overhaul, with reports from local media 'Kurir' indicating that at least ten players will leave the club soon.

The current squad consists of 33 players, which Riera considers too large. He plans to evaluate all players before deciding who will remain for the rest of the season, aiming to reduce the squad to a maximum of 23 players. The club faces financial pressure after losing 30 million euros due to the Champions League exit, and player sales are expected to help offset this loss.

Red Star's sporting director, Zvezdan Terzić, acknowledged the need to trim the squad, stating that they have too many players and must part ways with some to ease the situation. He emphasized the difference in demands when competing in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League and noted that no upfront money was received, but the club will manage the financial challenges.

These developments mark a turbulent period for Red Star Belgrade as they adjust their squad and management in response to recent setbacks.