New National Football Team Coach Named – Aktuálně.cz
- Michal Bílek has been appointed as the new head coach of the Czech Republic national football team, succeeding Jaroslav Šilhavý.
- The Czech Football Association (FAČR) announced Bílek's appointment on December 16, 2023.
- Michal Bílek previously managed the Czech national team from 2009 to 2013, guiding them to Euro 2012.
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Jaroslav Šilhavý replaced by Michal Bílek as Czech Republic National Team Manager
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Michal Bílek has been appointed as the new head coach of the Czech Republic national football team, succeeding Jaroslav Šilhavý. The appointment comes as the team prepares for the UEFA Euro 2024 play-offs. This facts is sourced from Kladno daily.
Appointment Details and Background
The Czech Football Association (FAČR) announced Bílek’s appointment on December 16, 2023. He replaces Jaroslav Šilhavý, whose contract expired after the team failed to qualify directly for Euro 2024. Šilhavý had been in charge since 2018, leading the Czech Republic to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
Michal Bílek previously managed the Czech national team from 2009 to 2013, guiding them to Euro 2012. He has also coached clubs in the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Russia. His most recent club position was with Gaziantep FK in Turkey.
Play-off Path to Euro 2024
The czech Republic will face Ireland in the semi-finals of the Euro 2024 play-offs in March. The match will be the opening event in Prague. A victory would see them face either Denmark or north Macedonia in the final, also hosted in the Czech Republic. The team is aiming to qualify for only their second major tournament since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, and their first World Cup since 2006.
Recent Coaching Changes and Context
The appointment of Bílek follows a period of instability in Czech football management. Notably, Jaroslav Koubek, who previously lead Viktoria Plzeň to success in European competitions – reaching the conference League quarterfinals and the Europa League round of 16 – resigned from Plzeň in September following a series of poor results. Koubek’s European success demonstrates the depth of coaching talent within the Czech Republic.