Nagoya Grampus manager Dragan Stojkovic on Thursday denied media reports he was planning to leave the J-League club at the end of the current March-December season.
“There are people that talk about all manner of things but I have never once said that I would leave,” the 48-year-old Serb told reporters at the Grampus clubhouse in Nagoya on Thursday, according to Kyodo News.
Stojkovic, who is in the final year of his contract, was quoted by Serbian media as saying: “If you were to ask me if I needed a break then the answer would be yes, but nobody knows what will happen until the season finishes.”
But the former Yugoslavia and Red Star Belgrade captain explained he was half joking and had been misinterpreted.
“I said I wanted to rest. It is true that my contract expires this year, but there is no need to panic,” he was quoted as saying by Kyodo. “Right now I am focused on my job with Grampus.”
Stojkovic, a firm fan favourite during his playing days with Nagoya when he was nicknamed “Piksi”, took over as Nagoya manager in 2008 and guided the club to their first ever J-League title in 2010.
Grampus general manager Kazumasa Kume said there had been no discussions between the club and Stojkovic about a new deal, according to Kyodo.
“Every year talks with coaches and players about contracts are in October and November near the end of the season, so of course we haven’t spoken about it,” Kume said.
Stojkovic denies leaving J-League
