JOHANNESBURG – Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic is currently a free agent after reaching a “mutual separation agreement” with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to immediately vacate his role as the senior national team coach.
Sredojevic parted ways with FAZ three days after failing to inspire Chipolopolo to a successful Cosafa Cup defence, having his team finished third in the group stage – behind second placed Eswatini and leaders South Africa.
Sredojevic was Chipolopolo's coach for more than a year, having assumed the hot seat last year in February.
His stint was far from being a success. Under his guidance, Chipolopolo failed to book a ticket to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), following losses to Algeria and Zimbabwe in the last two qualifiers.
“FAZ can confirm that it has reached a mutual separation agreement with its senior national team coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic," said FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala in the official statement on Saturday.
"After a meeting between FAZ and the coach, it was agreed that in the interest of progress for both parties they had to separate.”
Sredojevic also thanked FAZ and the people of Zambia for having supported him during his stay.
“I am grateful to the Zambian people, the players, coaches, officials and the fans who supported me in various ways during my stay," he said.
"All the positive experience with Chipolopolo, I will use in my career ahead and would like to wish Zambia all the best."
Before joining FAZ, Sredojevic had a brief stint with Egyptian giants Zamalek SC.
Before that, he had abruptly resigned from the head coaching role at Orlando Pirates – a team he guided to back-to-back runners up spots in the league.
IOL Sport