Red Star refused to sell Tiknizyan for the sake of the Champions League — Terzic responds to transfer criticism

Red Star Belgrade general director Zvezdan Terzic has commented on the club’s transfer policy following the team’s unsuccessful Champions League qualifying campaign.

Red Star’s bid to reach the main stage of Europe’s premier club competition ended in the third qualifying round. The Serbian side lost both matches against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, 0-2 and 0-1.

After the second leg, Terzic spoke to reporters. One of the main topics of discussion was the club’s transfer policy. The Red Star executive was reminded of the team’s results in recent seasons and asked why, despite its major ambitions, the squad had not been strengthened sufficiently.

Terzic rejected the criticism. According to him, the club’s management provided the funds necessary to strengthen the squad, and the available transfer budget was used in full.

The general director said the club had a budget of €9.2 million for player acquisitions. At the same time, Terzic urged people not to judge the club’s transfer activity solely by unsuccessful deals and pointed to players whose arrivals, in his opinion, had benefited the team. In particular, he mentioned Mateus, Rade Krunic, Gelor Kanga and Nair Tiknizyan.

Terzic also addressed Tiknizyan’s situation separately. According to him, Red Star received a large number of offers for the Armenian footballer this summer and had an opportunity to sell him on favorable terms.

However, the club’s management decided to keep the player. Red Star hoped Tiknizyan would help the team achieve its main objective at the start of the season — reaching the main stage of the Champions League.

That goal was not achieved. Following two defeats to Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the Belgrade club exited the Champions League and will now continue its European campaign in Europa League qualifying. Red Star will face Czech side Viktoria Plzen in the play-off round.

Following the Champions League elimination, a departure for the Armenia international defender has become a realistic possibility.

The Champions League disappointment has already led to major personnel changes. Immediately after the elimination, Dejan Stankovic resigned as the team’s head coach.

Red Star are expected to announce the name of their new head coach on Friday. His task will be to stabilize the situation and guide the club into the main stage of the Europa League. There are currently three candidates for the position, one of whom is a foreign coach.

The changes, however, may not be limited to the coaching staff. Red Star are scheduled to hold extraordinary elections for senior management positions in December.

Thus, the defeat in Champions League qualifying has become more than just a sporting setback for the Belgrade club — it has also triggered the prospect of wide-ranging changes. Amid criticism of the team’s results and transfer policy, Red Star are entering one of the most important periods of their season, with a new coach, a battle to qualify for the Europa League and potential changes within the club’s leadership.