Dick Advocaat became the third international manager to leave his post on Saturday as Serbia announced he was no longer their coach.
The day after losing their Euro 2016 qualifier to Denmark 3-1, the Football Association of Serbia revealed the 67-year-old had resigned.
’I’m sorry’
A statement released on the official Football Association of Serbia website this evening read: “At a meeting, which was attended by executives of the Football Association of Serbia and Dick Advocaat, Advocaat informed us of his resignation from the post. We wish to thank Dick for his work and his highest levels of professionalism.”
Advocaat, the former Rangers and Holland manager, only took over in the summer, with his performance in the job similar to the one of Claudio Ranieri, who has left Serbia's next opponents Greece. Ranieri left his post in the wake of a defeat to the Faroe Islands, having also taken over after the World Cup. The two meet in what will now be a very experimental friendly on Tuesday.
On his resignation Advocaat has added that he takes full responsibility “for everything. I am sorry it was not able to work out.
“I take responsibility for everything and think I made the honourable decision.”
Aviva next September
Georgia coach Temuri Ketsbaia also walked away from his job this morning after a poor start to their qualifying campaign.
Georgia are currently sitting in fifth place in Group D, with three losses from their four games against Ireland, Germany and Poland; already seven points of last night's table topping opponents.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, their next fixture sees them face World champions Germany in late March. They travel to the Aviva next September for the second last game of the campaign.
Sticking to his word
The 46-year-old manager said he would leave his post regardless of the result, but a 4-0 loss to Poland was unlikely to result in a change of heart.
“I have already spoken at full length recently so I have nothing new to say,” he told UEFA’s official website afterwards.
“Unfortunately my tenure with the national side has ended in a sad manner. From now on I will be supporting the team as an ordinary fan.”
Ketsbaia had managed in Greece before taking the job, while as a player he had spells with Newcastle and Wolves, making his name in England after a fiery goal celebration which saw him smash an advertising board.
Another one bites the dust
Greece are also now managerless, with Claudio Ranieri being sacked after his side lost 1-0 to the Faroe Islands last night. The loss extends their miserable run in Group F of the European Championship qualifiers. There are 169 places between Greece and the Faroe Island in the FIFA world rankings.
The president of the Greek FA George Sarris has apologised to supporters for their "unfortunate choice of coach". Former Irish assistant manager Marco Tardelli had been in the running for the position before Ranieri's appointment.
