Kamis, 17 Juli 2008

Rada appointed new Czech Republic coach


Petr Rada has been appointed the Czech Republic’s new national soccer coach, the Czech Football Association said on Thursday.

Karel Brueckner retired after the team’s group stage exit from the European Championships last month and Rada, who was his assistant in Euro 2008, has been elected his successor.

The 49-year-old Rada surprisingly beat another of his former bosses Jozef Chovanec, who led the national side from 1998 to 2001 and manages Sparta Prague.

“I would like to see the team uniting and pulling together for a single goal,” Rada said ahead of the selection vote held by the Czech FA on Thursday.

“There is World Cup qualifying (coming up) and there is no time for improvising.”

Chovanec bowed out as national team coach after failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Rada, assistant to Brueckner in 2006-2008 and Chovanec in 1998-2001, has coached Czech top league team Teplice since last year but his appointment was a surprise because he has not yet won a major cup or tournament as a head coach.

His first match in charge will be the friendly against England at Wembley on Aug. 20.

Brueckner announced his retirement plans before Euro 2008, but met an abrupt end when the Czechs were knocked out after letting slip a two-goal lead to Turkey.

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