Sudanese club Al Merrikh SC have parted ways with head coach Darko Nović and his technical staff after more than a year in charge, during which he guided the team in the Rwandan Premier League and continental competitions.
The club announced the decision on Sunday, November 8, 2026, after the team had played five matches in the 2026/2027 BK Pro League season.
In a statement, Al Merrikh SC thanked the Serbian coach and his assistants for their service.
“We thank head coach Darko Nović and his assistants. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” the club said.
Nović’s departure also involves his assistants, Dragan Culum and Dragan Sarac, goalkeeper coach Dejan Maksic, and fitness coach Marmouche.
The decision also affects other members of the club’s technical and administrative structures, including Cap Ayman Adar, Cap Ali Jafar and Capt Anas Nasr El Din.
Despite the announcement, Al Merrikh secured a 3-0 victory over Etoile de l’Est on the same day in a rescheduled BK Pro League fixture. The win lifted the Sudanese side to seventh place with nine points from five matches.
Nović’s record in the league was not particularly poor, despite the team’s position in the standings. Under his leadership, Al Merrikh had won two matches and drawn three, without suffering a defeat.
However, the team’s failure to secure more victories and its early exit from continental competition may have contributed to the club’s decision to end his tenure.
In the CAF Champions League, Al Merrikh were eliminated by Guinea’s Horoya AC in the second qualifying round. After losing the first leg 1-0, the Sudanese side won the return leg by the same scoreline at Kigali Pele Stadium before losing 5-3 on penalties.
Nović joined Al Merrikh on July 30, 2025, after leaving APR FC, whom he had guided to the 2024/2025 Rwanda Premier League title.
During his time at APR FC, he also won the 2025 Heroes Cup and Peace Cup. He further led the club to the final of the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup, although they did not win the competition.
In his first season with Al Merrikh, Nović guided the team to third place in the 2025/2026 Rwanda Premier League with 59 points, behind Al Hilal SC and APR FC.
The Serbian coach has considerable experience in African football, having previously managed Tunisia’s US Monastir and Algeria’s ES Sétif before joining APR FC.
