Prague - František Straka spoke to the media for the first time today after being appointed the new head coach of the Czech national football team.
Overcoming his initial apparent nervousness, he gradually switched into a full control mode and revealed some of the plans he has for the beleaguered squad that faces the imminent danger of missing the next World Cup in South Africa.
He explained, among others things, that the Italian coach Massimo Morales, who until earlier this month led the team of Marila Příbram in Czech league, will not be his assistant due to the alleged resistance of the Czech Football Association to have a foreigner in the national coaching team.
Why are you taking the job, knowing very well it may be a very short affair indeed, perhaps just one match?
First of all, I am really glad I was appointed the manager of our national team. It came as a surprise to me. I did offer my services, presented a concept to make it last longer than just one match.
You do not mind the controversy surrounding your selection for the post?
I will not comment on that. I am glad I was chosen.
But what else do you want to do to convince that you are the right man for the job aside from leading the team to an expected victory over Malta?
The time has come to oxygenize the team. We have to give room to the new blood. There has to be competition. We need to give talents a chance. I want football to move forward.
Do you already know what your entire coaching team will look like?
I have talked to the candidates already. I have asked their clubs too to see if they can make them available. But let us not speak about the names just yet.
Are there any people from your predecessor's (Petr Rada's) coaching squad?
No, I want fresh faces. There has been some talk about the Italian coach Massimo Morales as your potential assistant. But the (Czech Football) Association does not want any foreigners, so I will have to choose at home.
The Association has also sacked five players from the national team for a breach of discipline after the World Cup qualifying loss to Slovakia. Do you now want them back?
Its is human to forgive. I want to hear from them how they perceive what had happened. The only one to repent openly has been Kováč. When a player admits a mistake and behaves accordingly on the field, I will be only too happy to forgive.
Will you also get in touch with Tomáš Ujfaluši who has decided to quit the team of his own will?
I will definitely talk to him. I will ask him why he had quit. It will not harm to know his opinion.
You have said before that you would like to see Pavel Nedvěd return to the squad. Is that still true?
I would be happy to see Pavel around the team even if he is not playing. He would give the team respect, he knows how to create atmosphere. I will not try to convince him but I would not be opposed to his advice and counsel. I do want to have personalities of his standing on my side. And the least I would like to do is to say to Pavel: thank you for everything you have done for us. And I would retire the jersey with his number.
Do you want him and other players from abroad already for the upcoming match against Malta?
I do.
But it is not far away. Are you expecting some tough days ahead?
For sure. I want to speak to all the players on the team. Not just to those who form its backbone. We have three weeks to go before the match. That is not much. I have to go abroad and check out the players I am thinking about to see if they are in shape. I am not closing door to anybody, but I want to hear their opinion on the issue of representing the country.
And what do you consider to be the ideal attitude?
Players have to start behaving like they represent the minute they show up. Not asking for exorbitant sums of money, rather showing the pride. The entire nation is watching and they can feel if the team works, even if the results are not right. I get a lot of laughs for saying this, but I really believe it is all about showing heart. The new blood should take care of the fighting spirit.
