Jan Kliment: Od sporu s Koubkem k nominaci do reprezentace a boj o Konferenční ligu!

Olomouc forward Jan Kliment, 32, has earned a somewhat surprising call-up to the Czech Republic national team for the upcoming World Cup play-off, despite a previously strained relationship with head coach Miroslav Koubek during their time together at Viktoria Plzeň. The experienced player stated that time has healed any past differences and his focus remains firmly on representing his country. Before joining the national team, Kliment and Sigma Olomouc face a crucial second leg of the Conference League round of 16 against Mainz on Thursday, where they aim to overcome a 0-0 draw from the first leg.

Kliment’s departure from Plzeň to Olomouc two years ago was marked by a cooling of relations with then-Viktoria coach Koubek. Towards the end of his tenure in West Bohemia, under the experienced coach who would later take the helm of the Czech national team in December, Kliment found himself with limited playing opportunities.

“I think we’re okay. There wasn’t any necessitate for a reconciliation. We saw each other once when I was rehabilitating in Plzeň, and we talked. Time heals things, so it’s all good now. I don’t think it’s so much about our relationship, but more about my relationship with the national team,” Kliment said, having become Sigma Olomouc’s top scorer in the previous league season after leaving Plzeň.

Last spring, a serious injury and fracture sidelined Kliment for an extended period, and he didn’t return to action until late November. Now, after a year, he’s back in contention for the national team. “Of course, it pleases me. It would please any player. The national team has always been and is the most important thing,” Kliment noted.

It’s a mild surprise that Kliment joins Patrik Schick, Tomáš Chorý, and Mojmír Chytil as the attacking options for the play-off. “I was looking at my phone to notice who was calling, and I saw coach Koubek’s name. I was wondering what he could want? It wasn’t clear from the start, we had been communicating for two or three weeks beforehand. We also discussed my condition, and it was decided this way,” Kliment explained.

“It certainly helped that I had been with the national team about a year ago. The people there recognized me. They know what I’m like. I think that played a huge role too,” added the player with nine caps for the Czech national team.

Kliment Had to Adjust Plans

Koubek acknowledged Kliment’s strong performances in the Conference League. “I don’t know if it’s a bigger measure, it’s more a result of my situation. I didn’t play so much in league matches. It’s hard for twenty-year-ancient players to play matches three days in a row, let alone for me. I felt good in European matches. It’s something a little different than the Czech league, you get to play more football,” Kliment pointed out.

He admitted that the national team call-up required him to alter family plans he had for the international break. “We were just about to move. Unfortunately, I’ll have to leave my wife to handle it on her own,” Kliment said with a smile.

Before joining the national team, Kliment will compete with Sigma in the Conference League round of 16, believing that the Hanácks still have a chance after a 0-0 draw at home. “Key will be commitment, fighting spirit, hard work. It will be a lot about heart. It’s a match that isn’t played every day. I think we have a chance,” Kliment stated.

The match will also be special for him, as he previously played for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. “Since my time in Germany, I’ve always perceived the people there differently than in the Czech Republic. For example, a kindergarten walked by and recognized me. People in Germany live for football, they are fanatics. That’s what it looks like in the stadium,” Kliment said.

“I told the guys that there isn’t much difference whether there are 20,000 people in the stadium, as is often the case at Sparta and Slavia, or 10,000 more. German fans are tough and loud. But I hope we can cope with it and maybe it will even push us forward,” Kliment added.

He is expected to join the national team before the official Monday meeting. Players from the Czech league who are not involved in European competitions will begin training as early as Thursday. “The coach wants us to meet as soon as possible and be together. The league guys are already training before the meeting, so we agreed that I’ll come a little earlier than Monday, maybe for a regeneration session on Saturday,” he said.

The Czech Republic faces a critical World Cup play-off match against Ireland, with the stakes incredibly high for a nation that hasn’t qualified for the tournament in two decades. Kliment’s inclusion adds an intriguing dynamic to Miroslav Koubek’s squad, and his recent form in the Conference League clearly played a role in the coach’s decision. The team will be looking to build momentum and secure a vital win to keep their World Cup dreams alive.