Petkovic managed Serbia and montenegro since 2003

Petkovic's team suffered defeats to Holland, Argentina and the Ivory Coast against a backdrop of training ground arguments and disputes over tactics.

Petkovic also cited Montenegro's impending breakaway to become a separate association as another reason for a lack of squad unity.

He said: "As of now my function as team head coach ceases to exist."

Serbia and Montenegro were playing as the final combination of nations under the old unified Yugoslavia banner.

But following Montenegro lodging a formal declaration of independence on 3 June, the two nations' football associations were set to formally split in Belgrade on Wednesday.

And despite claims that squad unity was strong heading into the tournament, the coach hinted that his players never showed the enthusiasm needed to succeed under the combined banner.

At the World Cup, we showed where we stand, we showed our true face Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic

"I had the ambition to lead our country, which is faced with the world's mixture of fear, hatred and scorn, toward a new image, but I failed," Petkovic said.

"It makes a whole lot of difference when players sing their anthem and shed a tear, while ours simply turned their heads as the old Yugoslav anthem was played.

"Football is the game where all players' characteristics, their unity, morale, character, discipline and determination, come to the open.

"At the World Cup, we showed where we stand, we showed our true face."

He added: "For three years, I searched for players who could beat Argentina.

"Time will show whether I could not find such players, or they do not exist here."

As the successor state, Serbia will keep its Fifa membership while Montenegro will apply for a seat with soccer's governing body and aim to take part in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.