Terzić after Red Star's debacle: 'If you can do better, go ahead, elections in December'

The day after the shocking exit from the third qualifying round of the Champions League, Red Star was in a state of turmoil. The 0:2 defeat to Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva triggered a cascade of events at an emergency board meeting held on August 12, 2026, where club chief Zvezdan Terzić faced the media with a series of radical decisions.

"We had some negotiations, and we must present the coach by Friday midnight due to UEFA rules. I apologize to all fans," Terzić said at the start of his address, confirming what was already suspected, Dejan Stanković is no longer the club's coach. The former celebrated footballer resigned along with his entire staff immediately after the debacle, which Terzić explained in a somewhat bizarre manner: "I apologize that no press conference was held yesterday. Stanković and his entire staff resigned, so no one could attend the presser."

Early elections in December

However, the real "bomb" came when Terzić announced early elections for the club's new leadership. "We have just decided to call early elections for a new leadership in December, even though a new four-year mandate was secured back in May," Terzić stated. Interested candidates have four months to devise a plan and program and propose a different approach from the one the current leadership has been implementing.

In his address, Terzić urged all club members to exercise their right to vote. "After 12 years, maybe it's time for someone new to take over the club. I invite everyone in the stands, whom I assume are club members, to cast their vote for whoever they believe can do this job better," he said.

Reflection on a decade of rule

Terzić also reflected on the results of his tenure, highlighting the numbers that accompany him at the helm of the Belgrade club. "We know the state we found the club in, and we are aware that we have won 10 titles and qualified for European group stages 10 times," he said, adding a challenge to potential successors: "I would like the future leadership to surpass us, and if anyone thinks they can do better with a budget of 9.2 million, they have elections in December."

Domestic or foreign coach?

While the search for Stanković's successor continues, Terzić revealed to Kurir.rs the dilemma plaguing the club. "I know very well that Serbia hasn't had a quality domestic coach for a long time. I would like a domestic coach, but I don't know if we have a coach who can meet Red Star's demands," he said. He confirmed that both options are being considered: "We are considering both a domestic coach and a foreigner; we've talked, we've gone through all the candidates, we'll see; after the conference, we have some talks... We will announce the name of the new coach soon."

The deadline for presenting the new strategist expires at midnight on Friday, meaning Red Star fans will soon find out who will try to pull the club out of crisis after one of the heaviest European defeats in recent years.