Milutin Sredojević Relieved of Duties as Libyan National Team Coach
In a surprising move, former Orlando Pirates head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević, has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the Libyan national football team. The Serbian tactician, who took the reins of the Mediterranean Knights in May 2023, saw his tenure cut short following a series of underwhelming performances in both international friendlies and competitive matches.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) announced the decision to part ways with Sredojević after the team’s disappointing results in the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Libya struggled to make a significant impact under Micho’s leadership, falling short in key games that hindered their chances of qualification for major tournaments.
Sredojević, who had previously enjoyed success on the African continent, notably with Uganda and Orlando Pirates in South Africa, was appointed with high hopes that he could lead Libya to greater heights on the international stage. However, despite his experience and tactical acumen, his time with Libya has been marred by inconsistency and a failure to build a cohesive unit capable of competing against top African nations.
Sredojević’s tenure began with optimism as he looked to rebuild a Libyan side that had been searching for stability following years of political unrest and organizational issues within the country’s football structure. However, the team struggled to find its rhythm, with a mix of poor results in both AFCON qualifiers and friendlies.
Key losses against teams like Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea in the AFCON qualifiers, coupled with lackluster displays in friendly matches, led to growing discontent among fans and officials alike. Despite moments of promise, the team’s inability to consistently perform at a competitive level was a major factor in the decision to relieve him of his duties.
Milutin Sredojević is no stranger to African football, having built a strong reputation over two decades on the continent. Before his stint with Libya, Micho managed several teams across Africa, including Rwanda, Uganda, and South African giants Orlando Pirates. His most notable achievement came with Uganda, where he guided the national team to their first AFCON qualification in 38 years, earning him widespread praise.
While his success in Uganda elevated his status as one of Africa’s top coaches, his stints at other teams have been more turbulent. His time at Zamalek in Egypt and later with Zambia both ended prematurely, with mixed results on the field.
Libya will now embark on the search for a new head coach to lead the team through the remainder of their AFCON and World Cup qualifying campaigns. The challenge for the next manager will be to build upon the foundation laid by Micho while addressing the team’s tactical and mental shortcomings.
As for Sredojević, his future in coaching remains uncertain. Given his vast experience and knowledge of African football, it is likely that he will soon be linked to other coaching opportunities across the continent.
For Libyan football, the focus now shifts to finding stability and success on the international stage, with the hope that a new era of leadership will bring them closer to realizing their ambitions.
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