SHANGHAI, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Former Serbia and Montenegro head coach Ilija Petkovic has passed away, allegedly from COVID-19.
His former club, Shanghai Shenhua, confirmed on Sunday, the death of the 74-year-old Serbian football coach.
"We will cherish those amazing things you brought to us. RIP," the club wrote on social media.
Petkovic was hospitalized for fever and duodenum ulcer and later found to have contracted the COVID-19 in the hospital, a report from news outlet Netease said.
He spent one year with Shanghai Shenhua in 2001, coaching them to second place in China's top league.
Petkovic coached Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup finals, where his side failed to qualify for the knockout stage. Enditem
