Zeljko Buvac, the deputy general manager for sports at Dinamo Moscow, may step into the role of head coach at Red Star Belgrade. This development was reported by sportske.net and has sparked widespread discussion among Serbian football circles. In recent days, Red Star’s leadership has been weighing a leadership change that could reshape the club’s strategic direction for the season ahead.
According to the outlet, Red Star is contemplating the potential resignation of coach Barak Bahar. The intent appears to be to allow a specialist to finish the opening phase of the season, with the organization prioritizing continuity and professional execution. The management team is careful about severance terms and aims to handle contract termination compensation in a manner that preserves the club’s financial stability while ensuring a smooth transition for players and staff. At present, Red Star sits in second place in the league standings with 40 points after 16 rounds, trailing Partizan, which leads the table with 43 points. The situation on the table hence becomes a meaningful consideration for the club’s immediate planning and long-term squad strategy.
Before joining Dinamo in 2020, Buvac held prominent roles as an assistant coach at top European clubs, including Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Mainz. His varied experience across different leagues and tactical cultures has been highlighted as a potential asset in Red Star’s dressing room, where a blend of technical discipline and adaptability could be instrumental in navigating a demanding campaign.
Dinamo, competing in the Russian Premier League for 17 weeks this season, remains firmly in the upper tier of the table. The club currently sits among the top three with 31 points, just behind Zenit, which holds a narrow two-point gap for the second spot. Krasnodar sits at the summit with 35 points, and the most recent league round saw Dinamo claim a 1-0 victory over Rubin, with Konstantin Tyukavin delivering the decisive strike. This result adds to the team’s momentum and could influence how Red Star pursues its own strategic objectives if a coaching transition occurs.
Earlier, discussions involving external consultants or visiting experts surfaced, with some voices emphasizing the importance of language and cultural alignment when integrating coaching staff. The broader conversation touches on how clubs balance international expertise with the need to fit into the local football environment, a topic that has become increasingly relevant across European football as teams seek to optimize performance while managing transitions smoothly.