World Cup head coach resigns after sorry campaign and slams ‘media fabrications’

Miroslav Koubek has left his position as head coach of Czechia.

Koubek’s departure comes after a miserable a miserable World Cup campaign as they Eastern European nation finished bottom of their group with a solitary point.

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Czechia suffered defeats to South Korea and co-host nation Mexico and battled to a draw against South Africa in Group A.

Czechia FA confirm Koubek departure

A statement by the chairman of the Czech FA, David Trunda, read: “Today, coach Miroslav Koubek and I have mutually agreed to end our cooperation.

“During today’s personal meeting, the coach offered me his position and after an open and fair debate, I decided to accept his offer.

“When we first met on Sunday, December 14th in Kladno, we spent several hours talking about Czech football, the national team, and where we wanted to take it together.

“We agreed on two clear goals – to return the Czech national team to the World Cup after twenty years, and at the same time to create a solid foundation for its long-term development.

“We achieved the first of these goals together. Qualifying for the World Cup was an extraordinary moment for all of Czech football, and Mr. Miroslav Koubek played a huge part in it. For that, he deserves my sincere respect and thanks.

“During our cooperation, I had the opportunity to get to know not only an excellent coach with extraordinary experience and expertise, but above all a person of great character. I greatly appreciate his approach, professionalism and the work he has done for Czech football.”

Czechia were playing at their first World Cup since 2006, but their campaign in North America was a short-lived one as they lost their opener to South Korea before drawing with South Africa and suffering a further defeat to co-hosts Mexico.

‘My work would no longer make sense’

As well as the poor results in the tournament, Koubek cited the negative media attention as a reason for his departure.

Koubek said: “After the failure at the World Championship, for which I bear joint responsibility as head coach, after considering all the circumstances, I have come to the conclusion that I will offer my position to the president of the FACR, David Trund.

“After mutual debate and consultation, the president accepted my proposal. The consequence is the termination of my work with the national team.

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“A media campaign based on a series of half-truths and fabrications against me also contributed to my decision. In this atmosphere, my work for the Czech national team would no longer make sense.

“I would like to thank the chairman David Trund and the FACR Executive Committee for the trust they have placed in me.

“I would also like to thank Pavel Nedved for his cooperation, all members of the implementation team and employees of the Football Association of the Czech Republic for their enormous commitment and, above all, the players. It was a great honour for me to lead the Czech national team.

“I regret that after gaining knowledge from the World Cup, I will not be able to fulfil the specific and clear visions I had for my further work with the national team.

“A big thank you also goes to the fans. Their support throughout the entire journey to qualification and at the World Cup itself was extraordinary and I will never forget it.

“I wish the Czech national team and my successor further success in their progress. I will keep my fingers crossed for them, like every Czech football fan.”

What next for Czechia?

While Czechia hadn’t qualified for the World Cup for 20 years, they have appeared at every Euros since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993.

Their most memorable run came at Euro 96 as they reached the final, finishing as runners-up to Germany.

Qualifying for the next major tournament, Euro 2028 in the UK and Republic of Ireland, is set to begin next March.

The draw for qualification is set to take place on December 6.

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