Former Man City cult hero announces career change seven years after leaving the Etihad
- Aleksandar Kolarov won two Premier League titles in seven years at Etihad
- The 38-year-old retired from Inter Milan in 2022 and spent two seasons in Serie A
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Former Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov has agreed to become manager of Serbia Under-21s.
Kolarov, 38, has signed a two-year contract with the Serbian Football Association, with the main aim of qualifying for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The Serbian U-21 team failed to qualify for the 2025 European Championship, finishing third in their group behind England and Ukraine.
The role is his first as a coach since he hung up his boots in 2022. The two-time Premier League winner ended his career at Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A title a year earlier.
His stay in Italy provided the perfect opportunity to begin gaining his coaching qualifications at the world-famous Coverciano – home of the Italian Football Federation.
Former Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov has agreed to become Serbia Under-21 manager
The 38-year-old won two Premier League titles during seven seasons in the top flight at the Etihad
“I always knew that this day would come sooner or later and despite that, I am grateful that I managed to realize what has always been my dream,” he said in a statement announcing his retirement.
Now I am already on my way to my “second life” in the world of football and for this reason, as soon as the announcements are published, I will register for the qualification courses, first as a scout and then as a sports director, at the Centro Tecnico Federale in Coverciano. ‘
Kolarov joined City from Lazio in 2010 for a £16 million contract and was a fan favorite at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s acquisition of Gael Clichy in 2011 minimized Kolarov’s first-team opportunities, but the Serbian continued to play his part as City claimed their first top-flight title in 44 years.
Kolarov made a total of 246 appearances for City before returning to Serie A with Roma in 2017.
The dead-ball specialist made 132 appearances for Roma before moving to his last club Inter in September 2020. Kolarov’s career started with Cukaricki in his native Serbia before moving to OFK Beograd prior to his move to Lazio.
He was capped 94 times by Serbia, scoring 11 times and representing his country at both the 2010 and 2018 World Cup.