While there are moderate voices and those who support Antic within the FA, it is clear that the majority of the FSS leadership would like to see the coach sacked. Their official reasoning is that Antic's suspension for four official matches - issued by FIFA as punishment for "Mister's" cursing of the referee during the Serbia v. Australia game at the 2010 World Cup - represents a gigantic barrier to Serbia's chances of qualification for Euro 2012. Adding fuel to the fire is Antic's refusal to take responsibility for the failure to advance past the group stage in South Africa, despite having at his disposal the best crop of Serbian players since the 1990s.
But the official reasoning never tells the full story, and when that is the case, the cause is usually money. The FSS would like Antic to accept a scaling back of his projected pay of €100,000 per month, agreed prior to the start of the World Cup. As expected, "Mister" does not want to do this, and insists that he is leading the national team down the right path. He cites improved support among the Serbian population, increased attendance at games, strong team morale, higher FIFA World Ranking and qualification for the World Cup itself as the successes that make him the right man for the job.
Of course, Antic is not without his own share of stubbornness. He blamed Serbia's failure to advance to the second round in South Africa on "poor luck" despite some suspect tactical and substitution decisions (especially in the game against Ghana). And with his player selection and tactics for the friendly against Greece, he signaled an intent to continue to use the outdated 4-4-2 formation with a largely unchanged line-up. This came despite Serbia's clear problems at the goalkeeper and striker positions, and despite the availability of younger and better-conditioned alternatives to some of the players who continue to be selected.
The positives of keeping Antic on the job are clear. Other than Bora Milutinovic - whose opportunity to coach Serbia has probably passed - the former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid boss is by far the best Serbian-born coach the team can muster. He has a classy image and commands respect among the players. His tactical knowledge cannot be disputed, despite the questionable decisions during the game against Ghana. And who knows how much more Antic has made of less with the Serbian team, considering that a similar crop of players was losing left, right and center under Javier Clemente and Miroslav Djukic? These factors may only become clear when "Mister" is long-gone.
On the opposite side, Antic is by no means perfect. His player selection is stubborn, despite the average age of the Serbian team being just 26. Why are players who are older, physically inferior and/or not playing for their clubs (Stojkovic, Petrovic, Milijas, Pantelic, Zigic) still getting a chance ahead of other available talent (Jorgacevic, Matic, Ljajic, Sulejmani, Lekic)? And how did a coach of Antic's stature allow himself to curse at a referee in the game against Australia, knowing the consequences such a move could have? Forces within the FSS who have been against Antic all along were waiting for any viable excuse to sack him, and these actions - combined with "Mister's" refusal to take any responsibility for the results in South Africa - have given them the opportunity to do just that.
Of course, Soccer Serbia is always keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and opinions on Serbian soccer from all sources. Let's take a look at the projected levels of support for Antic among various key groups:
- FSS Administration: largely against Antic
- National team players: largely pro-Antic
- Outside influential figures: split almost evenly between the two
- Serbian media: split almost evenly between the two
- Domestic fans (in Serbia): overwhelmingly pro-Antic
- Diaspora fans: largely pro-Antic, but more overtly critical
- Lothar Matthaus (co-top candidate)
- Milovan Rajevac (unlikely)
- Ilija Petkovic (possible)
- Ljupko Petrovic (possible)
- Slavoljub Muslin (possible)
- Slavisa Jokanovic (co-top candidate)
- Sinisa Mihajlovic (unlikely)
Weighing the noted factors, Soccer Serbia's analysis of this situation is that Radomir Antic should remain the head coach of the Serbian national team. Antic is the best domestic-born coach Serbia has. If he believes that the current players and tactics are sufficient to qualify for Euro 2012, there is no reason to doubt him. As many Serbian fans have pointed out, Antic cannot lace up the boots and put the ball in the net for the Serbian strikers; the final moment of concentration is up to them. Success for Antic would be measured by qualification for Euro 2012 and advancement past the group stage at the tournament. Of course, if Serbia fails to qualify or is disgraced at the tournament, Antic should resign. But we are nowhere near that situation yet, and a negative atmosphere can still be averted if the FSS allow Antic to perform his duties (from the stands, if need be).
On the other hand, the future of the FSS administration should be based on achieving concrete results in one of three areas by August 2012: domestic infrastructure, club football and national team (all levels). If no visible result occurs in at least one of these areas by the noted date, the FSS administration should resign. Examples of "concrete results" would include confirmation of the building of the proposed "Stadium Serbia"; a new law on club ownership; confirmed rennovation of the Red Star and Partizan stadiums, as well as other stadiums across the country; concrete advancement with regional partners and UEFA on the formation of a Balkan league; placement of at least one Serbian team in the Champions League group stage and/or Europa League quarterfinals, thus improving Serbia's UEFA coefficient; and qualification for Euro 2012, or a good result (semi-final or better) at a major championship by a youth category national team.
The stage is set. It's up to the characters to do their part. Stay with Soccer Serbia for the latest in-depth analyses of this and other unfolding stories!
