/world sport
BELGRADE, Serbia -- Javier Clemente has been sacked as national team coach of Serbia, after failing to guide the side into the Euro 2008 finals.
Clemente's team finished behind Poland and Portugal in their Euro 2008 qualifying group
Serbian FA (FSS) president Zvezdan Terzic said: "The results are always the final barometer of whether someone has been successful or not and we have made the decision not to extend Clemente's contract expiring on December 31,"
"Clemente himself said he didn't want to carry on unless he had unanimous support from the FSS, the fans and the media, which he doesn't, although only a few people wanted him out."
"He had a difficult task of reaching the Euro 2008 finals with a young team and we were unrealistic in our expectations."
Serbia finished third in qualifying Group A behind Poland and 2004 finalists Portugal.
In the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw they face a stern challenge, with 2006 finalists France and neighbors Romania along side them in Group Seven.
When Clemente was in charge of the Spanish international team he guided them through a 31-match unbeaten run but was eventually sacked after a 3-2 defeat to Cyprus on September 5 1998.
Terzic said: "We should have a new coach by January 24 but it's not the end of the world if we take a little longer to pick the right man for the job."
Former Atletico Madrid manager Radomir Antic is a leading contender. E-mail to a friend 
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