Crvena Zvezda could part ways with head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos following a disappointing start to the 2025–26 season, Mozzart Sport reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the Greek coach is expected to remain on the bench for the upcoming EuroLeague matchup against Fenerbahce on October 10, but his future beyond that game remains uncertain. Regardless of the outcome in Istanbul, the club is reportedly preparing to move in a different direction.
The decision follows a string of poor results that have raised concerns within the organization. After opening the EuroLeague campaign with losses to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and FC Bayern Munich, Zvezda also suffered a surprising Adriatic League defeat to Zadar (85–79) on October 6.
That loss, described by Mozzart Sport as the “final straw,” came despite Zvezda’s strong roster depth and €20 million allocated for the season. Expectations in Belgrade were significantly higher than what the results show.
If the club proceeds with a coaching change, it would mark the end of Sfairopoulos’ two-year tenure with the team. The 57-year-old joined Zvezda in 2023 after previously coaching Olympiacos and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The Serbian outlet noted that the club is leaning toward hiring a domestic coach rather than another foreign candidate. Two former Zvezda coaches — Dejan Radonjic and Sasa Obradovic — have emerged as leading options. Both are currently free agents, and both have prior success with the team.
Radonjic, the most decorated coach in club history, won 15 trophies with Crvena Zvezda, including five ABA League titles, five Serbian Superleagues, and five Radivoj Korac Cups. Obradovic, meanwhile, led the team during the 2020–21 season before Radonjic returned for a second stint.
Club officials have yet to comment publicly, opting to remain silent until a new head coach is secured. For now, Sfairopoulos continues to prepare the team for Friday’s game in Istanbul, which could be his last in charge.
Crvena Zvezda will enter that matchup still seeking its first EuroLeague win of the season and aiming to stabilize its form amid growing uncertainty surrounding the coaching position.
