Nagoya Grampus will let Dragan Stojkovic go at the end of the season when his current deal as manager expires, the J. League club said Thursday.

The 48-year-old Stojkovic guided Nagoya to its first league title in 2010 and was in his sixth season in charge of the club this term.

But Grampus have underperformed this season and are 13th in the 18-team top division with 10 wins, 11 defeats and six draws with seven games left.

"We felt that, looking ahead to the future, a change is necessary," said club vice-president Yoshihiro Fukushima.

Stojkovic said he was "sad" but had to accept the reality of the situation and that he would never forget the club's championship triumph in 2010.