The Czechs did not manage the elite phase of qualifying for next year’s championship and will take last place in competition with Spain, Italy and Slovenia. In the five matches so far, they have won only one point. Most recently, they suffered a 1:7 debacle in Spain on Friday.
“There were several qualifiers when we would not advance and the so-called chairs are swinging under you. We have played several recent matches. We knew that if it didn’t work out, it would be over. But this qualification had no effect on that. I think it’s time for me to take my experience elsewhere,” Neumann said in a media recording.
During his successful engagement, he led the national team three times to the World Championship and five times to the European Championship. In 2010, he won bronze medals with the team at the EC in Hungary. Although he did not reveal specific plans after the end of the Czech team, he indicated that he will stay with futsal.
“I have no idea, now I mainly want to rest. Then we’ll see what happens. It would probably be a shame if I did not pass on the twenty years of experience that I have gathered here, but also around the world. It would be nice if we continued to participate in big tournaments and play for medals,” said the fifty-three-year-old coach.
Pilsen coach Marek Kopecký could replace him. “He has experience not only from a professional team, but also international experience. I think he will be my suitable successor and of course I wish him the best of luck,” said Neumann.
The duel with Slovenia will be his 247th on the bench of the representative A-team. “The Slovenians beat Italy and are playing for promotion. It will be a very difficult match. I want to give a chance to the young, emerging generation. Of course, we will prepare in such a way that we can handle the match and win. I don’t want to say goodbye with a loss,” said Neumann.
Longtime captain Lukáš Rešetár will make his last appearance for the national team on Wednesday. “He was part of all the successes of the Czech futsal national team, of course I don’t take into account what he did in the league. We started together, we end together. It’s symbolic,” Neumann said.
Recently, Neumann drew attention to himself outside of futsal. A member of the executive committee of the Football Association of the Czech Republic, he was with the trio of representatives in a night club in Olomouc before the final match of the Euro 2024 qualification in November. The players Vladimír Coufal, Jakub Brabec and Jan Kuchta had to leave the team due to a visit to a disco before the duel with Moldova.
In a statement to the media, Neumann defended himself by saying that he was in the company with his daughter and that he himself encouraged the representatives to go to the hotel. He denied accompanying the player. The executive committee subsequently called on the futsal coach to consider the implications of his presence at the club. Neumann said at the December meeting that he saw no reason for his resignation. According to the articles of association, he can only be dismissed by the general meeting.
