Stojanović succeeds Kek as Slovenia coach

Slaviša Stojanović has been named Slovenia national coach after Matjaž Kek's contract was terminated.

Kek left by mutual agreement after his side finished fourth in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group C, two points off a play-off position. He had been appointed in 2007 and led Slovenia to the 2010 FIFA World Cup; his successor Stojanović is the sixth man to hold the role in two decades of independence.

"Kek has been a good manager and achieved excellent results with the team," said Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) president Aleksander Čeferin. "We have to thank him for some big achievements."

Stojanović, 41, most recently worked as assistant to compatriot Srečko Katanec as United Arab Emirates coach having previously managed NK Domžale – guiding them to two titles – and NK Celje, where he ended his playing career. His first test will be a friendly at home to the United States on 15 November, with Norway, Switzerland, Albania, Iceland and Cyprus awaiting them in 2014 World Cup qualifying Group E.

"I'm really motivated for this job," Stojanović said. "I have to thank Matjaž Kek for his great work. He did a lot of the preparations for our biggest challenge – qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil."