Serbia end Petrović reign after EURO failure

Vladimir Petrović has left his post as Serbia coach by mutual consent after his side failed to qualify for UEFA EURO 2012.

Serbia finished third in qualifying Group C to miss out on a play-off berth for next summer's finals. With Italy confirmed as section winners, they were beaten to second place by Estonia after losing 1-0 in Slovenia in their last qualifier on Tuesday.

"I had an opportunity to work with the best players in Serbia for 13 months," said the 56-year-old Petrović, who had replaced Radomir Antić in September 2010, two games into the campaign and whose contract ran until the end of the year. "But we missed our target – qualification for EURO 2012.

"I am grateful for the support of the Serbian FA but, unfortunately for us all, we haven't achieved the desired result. I wish the national team all the best and believe Serbia will be back at the forefront of the international game." Captain Dejan Stanković has also announced he will play a farewell match for Serbia before retiring from national-team service this year.