Veljko Paunovic new coach of Serbia

The Serbian Football Federation has named former player and coach Veljko Paunovic as the new technical commissioner of the Balkan national team after Dragan Stojkovic resigned earlier this month.

Paunovic, 48, who led Serbia to victory at the Under-20 World Cup in 2015, will be on the bench in the final 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against England in London on Nov. 13 and Latvia at home on Nov. 16.

Serbia is currently third in Group K, behind England and Albania, and the federation believes its chances of qualifying for the World Cup are still alive. Stojkovic, resigned on Oct. 12, after the 1-0 home defeat against Albania.

Ex-striker, Paunovic notably played for Atlético Madrid from 1997 to 2005. After becoming a coach, he led the Serbian youth national teams, winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2015 against Brazil. He has also coached in the United States and Mexico.