Former Reading FC manager Veljko Paunovic has made a swift return to football management having been sacked by La Liga club Real Oviedo earlier this month.
Paunovic has bounced back from that firing but being appointed as the new international manager of Serbia as they look to qualify for 2026 World Cup.
He will lead his national side as they take on England and Latvia in Group K as they bid to win a place in next summer’s tournament which will be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The General Secretary of the Football Association of Serbia, Branko Radujko said: “From the very first day, Veljko Paunovic has shown that the interests of the national team come before anything else. His priority was not the contract or financial terms, but to immediately make himself available to the Football Association of Serbia and take charge of the team at such an important time.
“He emphasized that he wants to direct all his energy toward the upcoming matches against England and Latvia, determined to fight as long as there is even the slightest chance of success.
“We believe that his arrival will motivate the players and lift the team’s spirit, so that we can try to turn things in our favor. We will not give up as long as there is even the smallest fraction of a chance.
“The results of these two matches will in no way affect Veljko Paunovic’s future status. We will continue discussions about his long-term contract after these matches, regardless of their outcome.”
Paunovic spent two years as Reading boss, taking over in 2020 and going on a spectacular run with wins in his first seven matches before Reading eventually just missed out on the play-off places.
A difficult second season occurred in conjunction with off field problems which saw the club deducted six points. After a humiliating defeat to National League North Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup and a crushing 7-0 home defeat to Fulham, Paunovic eventually left his role by mutual consent in February 2022.
Since leaving Reading he has managed Guadalajara and Tigres UANL in Mexico. He then led Spanish side Real Oviedo to promotion to the top flight before he sacked on October 9, despite his team sitting just outside the relegation places.
