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

Red Star Belgrade is undergoing significant upheaval 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. Following this, major changes are expected in the squad, with reports from local outlet Kurir indicating that at least ten players will leave the team soon.

The club currently has 33 players, which is considered excessive. Riera intends to evaluate all available players before deciding who will remain for the rest of the season. The target is to reduce the squad to no more than 23 players. The club faces financial pressure after losing 30 million euros due to the Champions League exit, and player sales are part of the strategy to recover these losses.

Red Star's sporting director, Zvezdan Terzić, acknowledged the large squad size and the need to offload players. He emphasized the difference in demands between competing in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League and noted that no upfront funds were provided, but the club will manage the situation. The Serbian league is also monitoring these developments closely as the club restructures.