Soccer-Katanec stands down as Uzbekistan head coach due to health issues


  • Football
  • Wednesday, 22 Jan 2025

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Quarter Final - Qatar v Uzbekistan - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar - February 3, 2024 Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File photo

(Reuters) - Srecko Katanec has resigned as Uzbekistan head coach due to undisclosed health issues less than two months before the country's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan and Iran, the Uzbekistan Football Association said on Wednesday.

The 61-year-old, who coached Slovenia at the 2002 World Cup, leaves the role with Uzbekistan in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, the nation sitting in second place in Group A of Asia's preliminaries.

"The head coach of the national team of Uzbekistan, Srecko Katanec, decided to cancel his contract with the Uzbekistan Football Association by mutual consent due to health problems," the federation said in a statement on Instagram.

"The Slovenian coach noted with regret that he cannot perform his duties in a full and professional manner in his current state."

Katanec took over as coach in August 2021 and has steered Uzbekistan to second in their qualifying group for the World Cup, three points behind leaders Iran and three points ahead of third-placed UAE with four matches remaining.

(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Football

Turkish club chairman resigns after team abandons Galatasaray match
Soccer-Postecoglou refuses to let critics target his Spurs squad
Soccer-Former winners Ulsan stare down Asian Champions League elimination
Soccer-Flick hails Barca's maturity in win over Sevilla
Soccer-Conte frustrated by Napoli's missed opportunities in Udinese draw
Soccer-Ten-man Barca beat Sevilla 4-1 to put pressure on LaLiga leaders
Soccer-Frustrated Serie A leaders Napoli held at home by Udinese
Soccer-Speechless Muslic hails Plymouth after stunning FA Cup victory over Liverpool
Soccer-Villa beat Spurs to reach FA Cup fifth round for first time in 10 years
Soccer-Rangers stunned by second-tier Queen's Park in Scottish Cup upset

Others Also Read