Coach Preki Leaving Sacramento Republic Halfway Through Team's Second Season

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Big changes are coming to the Sacramento Republic FC in the middle of the USL Pro team's second team. Coach Pedrag "Preki" Radosavljevic is leaving the team for a job in the United Kingdom.

Preki is reportedly a favorite to take over coaching Leicester City, an English Premier League Club, though his exact destination has not been confirmed.

"We couldn't be more excited for him. to have the chance to coach at the highest level, which he has always told us is a goal of his," said Republic president Warren Smith.

Preki broke the news he was leaving to players on Tuesday.

"He's of those guys that players respect and players want to play for because of the mentality he instills in the team," said forward Justin Braun.

Preki, a National Soccer Hall of Famer for his playing success in multiple leagues will be replaced by Paul Buckle, a 20-year veteran English soccer player.

"The devil will be in the details and ultimately how he coaches and performs and he knows that," he said.

The Republic's success in its inaugural season, winning the USL Pro championship, helped make a solid case to win the next Major League Soccer expansion bid. But Minneapolis edged them out.

"If Sacramento got awarded MLS in December last year, we would probably be talking differently," he said.

The Republic is still fighting to break into the MLS, a goal Preki says moves full-steam ahead without him.

"But you never know," he said. "You might see me some day back here, so don't—we're not closing the curtain here."

Preki will stay on as coach through Saturday's game.