Former Yugoslav international footballer Dragon Stojkovic has been named Serbia’s new coach, a rival to Portugal’s rival in World Cup qualifying group A22, the country’s vice president, Marco Pontelik.

Pantelik, who is also a former player to be introduced next week, spoke to Serbian reporters without revealing the coach’s contract.

The 55-year-old replaces Lubisa Tumbakovic, who was fired in December for failing to qualify for Euro 2020, due to a Kovid-19 pandemic later this year.

Dragon Stojkovic, a creative midfielder who has represented clubs such as the Red Star, Marseille and Nagoya Grampus, has worn the former Yugoslavia team’s shirt 84 times, including the 1984 and 2000 European World Cups, the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games.

As a coach, he led Nagoya Grampus (Japan), Al-Shamal (Qatar) and Guangzhou City (China).

Serbia is one of Portugal ‘s rivals in the World Cup qualifying group A22, along with the Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.

Stojkovic, who is at the helm of the Serbian national team, is scheduled to arrive at the Irish reception on March 24. He will face Portugal in three days.