Dragan Stojkovic bids to recreate past glories for Serbia

Ireland’s opening opponents in the World Cup qualifying campaign brought in local hero Dragan Stojkovic to become Serbia’s 10th manager in a decade

New Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic spent four years at the helm of Chinese club Guangzhou R&F. Picture: Johannes EISELE / AFP

Donning his biker jacket and shades in Belgrade this week, Dragan Stojkovic is calmness personified amid the chaotic world that is Serbian football.

Ireland’s opening opponents in the World Cup qualifying campaign on Wednesday fortnight are best known for producing a continuous flow of quality players without the cohesion to fuse into a successful team.