Official: Aleksandar Kolarov appointed as Serbia’s new U21 head coach

Aleksandar Kolarov, a former Serbian international and long-time captain of the "Orlovi," has been named the new head coach of Serbia’s U21 national team. The 38-year-old signed a contract with the Football Association of Serbia (FSS), with his tenure running through the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, which Serbia hopes to co-host.

The announcement was made today at the FSS headquarters in Stara Pazova. FSS general secretary Branko Radujko praised Kolarov's appointment, stating, "When it comes to Kolarov, he brings an attractive football story. Here at FSS, we’re dedicated to advancing football across all areas, from the field to working with younger categories. Kolarov needs no introduction; everyone knows what kind of player he was. We’re thrilled he has accepted the role as U21 head coach. We have big ambitions with the upcoming generations, and with Kolarov, we’re aiming high."

Kolarov steps in following a period of disappointment for Serbia’s U21 team, which last qualified for the European Championship in 2019. His mission will be to lead the "Orlići" to the 2027 European Championship, potentially to be hosted in Serbia, with a final decision expected in December.

Nikola Lazetić, director of youth teams at FSS, emphasized that Kolarov’s objective is not only to compete but to develop future senior national team players from the 2004 generation and younger.

Kolarov expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you to FSS for this opportunity. It’s a big responsibility, and I’m eager to get started. My coaching staff and I have already begun scouting players and preparing to work with these young talents."

Kolarov, who represented Serbia from 2008 to 2020, made 94 appearances and scored 11 goals for the national team. His experience and leadership will now be focused on building a competitive youth squad for the future.