On October 30, FSS appointed Paunović as the new coach of Serbia in place of Dragan Stojković, who resigned after the defeat against Albania in Leskovac (0:1). Paunović will lead the national team in the battle for qualification to the World Championship in 2026.
At the Sports Center of the Football Association of Serbia in Stara Pazova, president Dragan DŽajić and general secretary Branko Radujko handed over work equipment with initials to Paunović.
The FSS stated that Paunović, together with his colleagues from the professional staff, visited all the rooms in the Sports Center – from the changing rooms and the gym to the field where the national team will train ahead of the upcoming matches with England and Latvia.
On November 10, the Serbian national team will begin preparations for the duels with England and Latvia.
As a coach of the youth team, Paunović won the world championship title with Serbia in 2015 in New Zealand.
– Since the end of 2015, I haven’t been to SC in Stara Pazova for almost ten years. I feel as comfortable as I did then. Many fond memories; I’m a little excited. I am glad to see in SC the people with whom I collaborated then, who are still in the Alliance and that we have the opportunity to once again be part of a common mission and a new task – said Paunović for the FSS official website.
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— Football Association of Serbia | FA of Serbia (@FSSrbije) November 6, 2025
He adds that the opportunity does not choose the moment, but that this one appeared at the moment when the position of selector remained vacant.
– I just finished a project and an opportunity opened up. There was not much time, the decision had to be made quickly. The dice came together. My duty was to answer the call as quickly as possible, to come to Belgrade and make myself available to the national team – added the new coach of Serbia.
Paunović pointed out that he has been devoted to the national team since childhood.
– I was a player, a member of the national team, but I didn’t realize my dream of playing as many games for the national team as I wanted. As a coach and selector, that feeling comes back. Mainly because of these guys in the photo behind us – from New Zealand. Maybe this is the last chance to meet again on a joint task, like ten years ago. I couldn’t miss it. In the public eye this is a tall order, but I know there is a group of guys who know how to win and know how to navigate these rough waters. This gives me the confidence that we will create togetherness and everything necessary for success. We are going with all our hearts – said Paunović.
The new coach of Serbia emphasized that he believes in the team.
– I always start from myself. Authenticity, self-belief. When you believe in what you do and in the people around you, there is no need to look for big words and a source of motivation. It becomes a natural state of security and self-confidence that is transmitted to the entire team – added Paunović.
He described how the players with whom he won the World Cup in 2015 reacted when he announced to them that he would be the new coach of Serbia.
– I felt excitement and pride. I’m sorry that several of them were injured and couldn’t respond to the call, and they are very important for the group, important for the team concept, both in technical and tactical terms, as well as in human terms. But the reactions were wonderful. During those ten years, we stayed in touch – encouraged each other during injuries, congratulated each other on successes, shared moments. I heard from Zoran Mirković, who led the national team in Andorra, that the boys are still great professionals, that they respect each other, trust each other, that they still have the same enthusiasm. I remember when we said goodbye after New Zealand, I told them that I would like them to keep those values no matter what happens in their careers. That’s why Mirković’s information made me very happy. I am proud of them – said Paunović.
On November 13, Serbia will visit England in London, while on November 16, they will play the last qualifying match against Latvia in Leskovac.
– The first game is always the most important. We are maximally focused on England – the national team that has already qualified and dominated during the qualifiers. They didn’t concede a single goal, their attackers had no mercy. It will be the toughest possible opponent. But in football it’s always 11 on 11. Heart, faith and preparation often make the difference. We want to be brave, smart, organized and believe until the end – emphasized Paunović.
Paunović then explained what “Serbian football identity” represents for him.
– To be organized, disciplined, brave and to show our talent. There are four pillars. The order is not important, always one of them comes to the fore. Only when you combine all four, you get the fifth one, perhaps the most important in football – the right to have luck turn on your side. I know from personal experience, both as a player and as a coach, that luck can be a decisive factor in big matches, but only if you have fulfilled the previous four prerequisites – said Paunović.
He ended up having a message for fans and players ahead of the England clash.
– The message is the same for everyone: to believe in each other, to do our best and not to give up for a single moment. To be the best version of ourselves and to believe in success – in our teammates, in the group and in the feat we are chasing together – said Paunović.
(Vijesti.ba)
