How do you feel about working with coach Miroslav Koubek so far?
Great. In football, I give a lot to feelings. I think that is the most important factor. I am extremely satisfied with the way the coach and I started everything. He confirmed everything I expected from him. He has everything a national team coach should have. His hard work is incredible.
You say he has everything. What is it in your eyes?
His profile corresponds exactly to what I had in mind, what a national team coach should look like. He is experienced, he has some training. He knows how to react to the game. He has a clear idea of how to play, what types of players he will want to nominate. We couldn’t ask for more.
You met a lot of players, what did you manage to do?
We went around the boys about eighty percent. We were in Spain (at training sessions of Czech clubs – author’s note), Germany, England. We circled the key players whom the coach wanted to address and find out their feelings. The meetings were long, which I welcomed. The guys opened up, everyone said what they thought, shared their feelings with us.
you too?
Yes. I also told my feelings that I had in six months. We came together on a lot of things that we know didn’t work. I am confident that they will work now. The coach has a clear idea, he is not afraid of anything. He goes all out, it’s the pinnacle of his career. He does everything for it.
Do you feel that the players need to be pushed more?
We opened up together. The coach was there to take in the situation. I think it worked. I was quite negative. I mainly wanted to get rid of the things that I thought didn’t work. I am convinced that with a little will they must and will work. The players acknowledged it and knew what was not good. That’s why I think we’re on a completely different wave now. I believe we can do it.
What did you think didn’t work?
These were internal meetings that are not open to the public. I can’t even tell you what anyone said. But I’m happy that the guys feel the same way I do. I’ll tell you one thing I told them: We’re in the playoffs because they were the players who made it, but for themselves. I’ve never seen a team there that, if it works, we’ll be somewhere else entirely.
How to wake up the player?
The coach has a special gift. On the one hand, he can be tough and strict, on the other, great and funny. I think the guys who didn’t know him are happy.
You also visited Tomáš Souček in England. How did he take the fact that his captain’s armband was taken away from him after the affair in Olomouc?
He was sad about it, but he and Láďa Krejčí, whom we also visited there, play the hardest competition in the world. No coach wants to lose these players. Tomas accepted that he would not be the captain. But it is available, which is important and decisive.
