# Partizan 2026: Leadership resignations and internal crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/partizan-football-campaign-2026 > Updated: 2026-09-16T12:15:05.000Z. Sources: 78. Developments: 11. FK Partizan’s 2026 campaign and domestic standing have entered a period of severe instability. Following a loss to Getafe in the UEFA Conference League play-offs and a 3-1 defeat against Mladost Lučani, which left the team in 12th place in the Serbian Superliga, the club’s leadership and head coach Saša Ilić announced their intention to resign. The departing group includes President Rasim Ljajić, General Director Danko Lazović, and Sporting Director Radosav Petrović. In the decisive rematch at Partizan Stadium, the club was eliminated from the UEFA Conference League following a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Getafe CF. Although Partizan won the second leg 2-1, the Spanish side progressed based on their 3-1 victory in the first leg. The match was marred by controversy when referee Urs Schneider overturned a Stefan Milić goal for offside; former referee Zdravko Jokić noted that video footage made the decision “questionable.” Following the elimination, Saša Ilić initially remained evasive regarding his future, stating, “This is the Partizan I want to coach and the Partizan I want to watch.” However, Ilić has since reversed his decision to resign, citing fan support and management encouragement. Internal tensions have escalated following the departure of Predrag Mijatović. Former player Ljubomir Vorkapić criticized the management, describing Mijatović’s exit as a “humiliation for the institution” resulting from disagreements with leadership. Vorkapić further characterized the club’s current state as a “disgrace to former players,” citing poor performance and the club’s struggle in the domestic league. Pressure on the club has intensified as the initiative ‘Apel za spas Partizana’ (Appeal to Save Partizan) and various former players issued a formal statement demanding the resignation of current management and the dissolution of assembly structures. The group cited a “catastrophic state” defined by declining results, financial instability following European elimination, and a loss of institutional stability. ## Claims - FK Partizan defeated Tobol 3‑0 in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The match was played at Partizan's home stadium in Humska, Belgrade, Serbia. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Goals were scored by Demba Sek (32'), Ibrahim Zubairu (65') and Šaka Traore (90+4'). (corroborated by 14 sources) - The 3‑0 win gives Partizan a clear advantage heading into the return leg. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Coach Saša Ilić said the win was only the first half of the campaign and stressed the need for focus ahead of the second leg in Kazakhstan. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The second leg will be played in Kazakhstan seven days after the first match. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The match between Partizan and IMT ended 0-0. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Aleks Zeković received a direct red card in the 14th minute, leaving Partizan with ten players. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The match was played at Humska stadium in Belgrade. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The match was part of the third round of the Serbian SuperLiga season. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 15,000 spectators attended the match. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Partizan had previously been fined and had sections of its stadium closed by UEFA for fan misconduct. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-16: FK Partizan management faces calls for resignation amid crisis Former FK Partizan players and the ‘Apel za spas Partizana’ initiative are demanding management resignations, citing financial instability, poor results, and institutional crisis. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fk-partizan-faces-criticism-over-leadership-and-mijatovi-departure ### 2026-08-31: Saša Ilić to remain Partizan head coach Partizan coach Saša Ilić has withdrawn his resignation, citing strong fan support and the team's recent performance against Getafe as reasons to continue leading the club. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saa-ili-to-remain-partizan-head-coach ### 2026-08-28: Partizan coach Saša Ilić remains silent on future after Conference League exit Partizan coach Saša Ilić declined to comment on his future following the club's Conference League elimination by Getafe, despite a home victory, praising the team's performance and spirit. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/partizan-coach-saa-ili-remains-silent-on-future-after-conference-league-exit ### 2026-08-27: Getafe CF targets Partizan players following Conference League victory Following their Conference League victory over Partizan, Getafe CF is targeting several players, including signing Nemanja Gudelj and pursuing Demba Sek and Milan Vukotić. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/partizan-eliminated-from-conference-league-by-getafe ### 2026-08-25: Partizan faces Getafe in crucial Conference League play-off rematch Partizan Belgrade faces Getafe in a decisive UEFA Conference League play-off rematch, needing a significant comeback to overcome a 3-1 first-leg deficit amid club leadership instability. 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fk-partizan-president-rasim-ljaji-addresses-management-resignations ### 2026-08-23: FK Partizan management and coach Saša Ilić to resign FK Partizan management and head coach Saša Ilić will resign following the club's Conference League playoff against Getafe, amid a leadership crisis and poor domestic league performance. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/partizan-belgrade-faces-domestic-and-european-challenges ### 2026-08-20: FK Partizan faces disciplinary issues and coaching changes after Hetafe loss FK Partizan faces disciplinary sanctions under Saša Ilić and the reported resignation of goalkeeper coach Nemanja Jovšić following a 3-1 playoff loss to Hetafe. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/borac-banja-luka-sanctioned-to-play-match-behind-closed-doors ### 2026-08-10: FK Partizan defeats Tobol to advance in Conference League FK Partizan advanced to the UEFA Conference League play-offs after defeating Tobol 2-1 in Kazakhstan, winning 5-1 on aggregate. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/partizan-coach-saa-ili-prepares-for-conference-league-qualifier-against-tobol ### 2026-08-06: FK Partizan beats Tobol 3-0, UEFA sanctions hit club FK Partizan beat Tobol 3‑0 in a Conference League qualifier, while UEFA fines and partial stadium closures punish the club for fan misconduct. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fk-partizan-hit-with-new-uefa-fines-and-match-delay-over-fan-incidents ### 2026-08-02: FK Partizan in crisis after European qualification threat and IMT defeat FK Partizan’s board threatens resignation if the club misses the Conference League; former players criticize the lack of a plan; Partizan lost 2‑1 to IMT and faces a tough European draw against Hetafe. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/partizan-and-imt-draw-0-0-in-serbian-superliga-match ### 2026-07-30: Partizan coach Sasha Ilić celebrates Conference League qualification Partizan beat UNA Strasen 1‑0 in Luxembourg, advancing to the Conference League third qualifying round; coach Sasha Ilić praised the young squad and previewed August ties with Kazakhstan’s Tobol. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/partizan-coach-sasha-ili-celebrates-conference-league-qualification --- Cite as: Partizan 2026: Leadership resignations and internal crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/partizan-football-campaign-2026