His contract expired on 30 November, shortly after the team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup: ‘’It’s happened in Slovenia a few times that one year you’re a hero, and a year and a half later you have no idea and everything is against you, but that's just how it is in sports, not just here.’’
The Slovenian footbal association said both sides agreed not to continue working together. The next national team gathering is in March, giving the association enough time to select a new head coach.
Kek, 64, led Slovenia in his second spell for 75 matches, with 32 wins, 26 draws and 17 losses.