David Horejš Takes Charge at Hradec Králové: Ready to Face an Interesting Challenge

/INTERVIEW/ It was a flash event. Experienced Václav Kotal resigned from the post of head coach of Hradec for health reasons. David Horejš took over the team on Wednesday. Still a young coach who led České Budějovice and Jablonec in the past. He is bringing former Sparta footballer Lukáš Vácha with him to the confluence of the Elbe and Orlice rivers. The pair on the bench will be joined by current assistants Stanislav Hejkal and Adrian Rolko. Horejš faces an interesting challenge – to pull Votroky out of relegation danger.

David Horejš became the new coach of Hradec Králové. | Photo: Deník/Vladimir Machek

He hasn’t even had time to look around and a spicy duel is already waiting for him. On Saturday from 3 p.m., the East Bohemians will present themselves in Jablonec. That is, against the team that he trained last year and that scored one goal after another in the spring.

“We can’t choose our opponents, we only have to look at ourselves, go match by match, there are eight rounds until the end of the regular season, we have to manage it. That it came out in Jablonec is specific and nice,” says the forty-six-year-old native of Prachatice.

It is often said that the league does not refuse, but your decision must have been quick, did you have any doubts?
It was quick, of course, but when the offer came, I didn’t think about not accepting it. As you say, the league just doesn’t refuse. The situation that arose here was unpleasant, but I had a good time with the management i by Mr. Kotal, which confirmed me. I’m happy to be in Hradec and I’m really looking forward to work.

Kotal ends up on the Hradec bench for health reasons. What did he say and who will replace him?

Hradec is not exactly in an ideal position, have you thought about it from this point of view?
Football brings this. I am aware of where Hradec is, but I trust the work of the entire club. I think it is well set up from the players to the management. That’s why I came here to do something about it.

The team stopped scoring, what about it?
If you want to win, you have to score goals. On the other hand, I saw a goalless duel with Olomouc, where the boys created chances. Before that, Bohemians scored two goals, they had a great game, it’s a shame. There are interesting players here and I believe that they will score goals and that they will confirm it already against Jablonec.

Not a single autumn duel was optically bad, but there were only three draws.
Matches are decided by penalty kicks. It’s about being stronger in them than the opponent. We will discuss it with the boys, we want to work on it. It is necessary to have a good atmosphere in the team, the players must believe in each other and go on the field with confidence. Then I think it always turns around. The important thing is that they can create chances.

POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE

You arrived on Wednesday, already on Saturday you are going to a difficult match in Jablonec. Can anything be changed in such a short period of time?
Of course, it’s a very short time. You can’t change everything in two days, it’s just not possible. On the other hand, we want to build on what happened in Hradec, use the strengths that the players undoubtedly have and add over time to increase the difficulty of the game. Miracles cannot be done right away, but we talked with the cabin and when I see the executive, the management, I feel his determination to make it through.

Is the mood in the cabin good even after the unlucky draws?
The team worked great in training, the atmosphere was positive. I hope that he will last and that it will mainly be seen on the pitch.

You bring an interesting name to the bench. Former Sparta footballer Lukáš Vácha, how did you find him?
We have known each other for a long time, and I also had a lot of time off, so I went to matches, to analytical things. Lukáš and I sat together several times, I liked his opinions. He’s a guy who starts, but he has a lot of respect from the players because he played football. He’s energetic, which I like, that he brings something new to it… a different quality. I think it was needed and I believe it will be beneficial.

Did the fact that in Hradec there are a lot of boys from Sparta, where he was a mentor and coach, also play a role?
If anyone has made great gaming progress, it’s Sparta. Lukáš went through it, he had the opportunity to be there, he trained the boys. Whether it’s Kašty (Daniel Kaštánek) or Puda (Petr Pudhorocký). I think it’s the right move.

From the region to the league! Spáčil catches up even there: I’ve set it up well in my head

You rested for a year, do you have more energy?
Yes. I enjoy football, I’ve been doing it since I was little. I am very appreciative of the fact that, as a coach, I was offered to work at the highest level again. I enjoyed my first training session, that’s how I am. I don’t have time to think pessimistically, but optimistically. It’s still, in quotes, just a game we enjoy. I will put my heart and energy into it and I will demand the same from the players.

You also played football at the old Malšák, what do you think of the new arena?
By building such a stadium here, the club moved much higher. You’re right, I remember the old stadium having some charm, but this is something else entirely. It’s great that stadiums are gradually changing. Pardubice has a new one, here is a beautiful arena. It’s good for the league. When I was here for the first time, I was surprised by the new stadium. Now it’s about being able to present a game befitting such an arena.

On Saturday, Jablonec awaits you, where you worked last year. How has the team from the north of Bohemia changed?
Lots of. Mr. Pelta was able to create a quality team. 10-12 new players arrived than when I was there. The team has tremendous strength and it will be a tough game.

The derby with Pardubice follows. It will be a stormy atmosphere…
Of course I’m looking forward to it. Hradec has changed diametrically with the construction of the stadium. People go to him. It’s a commitment for us and for the players, they have to realize that. They have great fans here, the derby will add to that, we are expecting a sold out stadium. So fly in there with straight legs. You grow through hard struggles.

David Horejš on the situation with Václav Kotal and possible mutual cooperation: “I appreciate the fact that Hradec approached me after him, I believe that Mr. Kotal will continue to help me, which is what we talked about together. I asked about the reasons for the change. I have been told it is an unpleasant thing. I also asked because Mr. Kotal is a respected person who has a great reputation among the fans, which I think he deserves for the years he has been doing for football. It was important for me too that he could help me.’