Red Star replaces Serbian legend with coach Boban wanted for Dinamo

Dejan Stanković has stepped down as head coach of Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade following their exit from the Champions League third qualifying round. The club's elimination came after a defeat against Israeli champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva, prompting Stanković's resignation.

Red Star appears poised to move quickly to appoint a successor, with Spanish coach Albert Riera reportedly on the verge of signing a contract. Riera was previously considered for the Red Star bench in the first half of last season before the club opted to retain Vladan Milojević. His contract with Celje expired in February, after which he managed Eintracht Frankfurt.

Serbian media reports indicate that Riera and his manager, Andy Bara, are currently in Belgrade, and the Spaniard is expected to be presented as the new Red Star coach by Thursday or Friday. Riera has achieved significant success in his coaching career, notably with Olimpija and later Celje. He is widely regarded as a promising coach.

Notably, Dinamo Zagreb president Zvonimir Boban had previously considered Riera for the Croatian club's coaching position but ultimately chose Mario Kovačević. Riera has been without a coaching engagement since the beginning of the summer, but this situation is expected to change soon with his potential move to Red Star.