The decision follows a devastating 25–40 loss against Brest in the Champions League group stage marking the largest defeat in CSM București’s tournament history.
Popovic, who took over as head coach December 2025 with a contract lasting until 2027, reportedly left the club without requesting any financial compensation or severance packages.
She continues her role as assistant coach to Helle Thomsen, with her current contract running through December 31, 2026.
According to Romanian sources, Jakob Vestergaard, who was sacked by Odense in October, is the favourite to take over Popovic's job at CSM.
Vestergaard, a two-time Champions League winner with Viborg (2009 and 2010), is very familiar with the environment in Bucharest; he previously served as head coach of CSM in 2016 and held the position of technical director at the club between 2014 and 2015.