Kosovo fires coach after 2 losses in World Cup qualifying

Updated Oct. 13, 2021 10:02 a.m. ET

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The Kosovo soccer federation fired Bernard Challandes as coach on Wednesday after a pair of World Cup qualifying losses.

Kosovo lost 3-0 at Sweden and then 2-1 at home against Georgia. The team is in last place in Group B.

The 70-year-old Swiss coach had been in charge of the national team since 2018.

“Taking into consideration our goals, in a joint agreement we decided to end the cooperation with the coach,” Kosovo soccer federation president Agim Ademi said.

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Challandes said he was unhappy with the decision.

“I was pleased with this job and also proud with the work done so far," he said at a news conference. “I was pleased to work with this team and that's why I am upset for leaving.”

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