Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Silhavy sensationally announced his resignation just minutes after qualifying for Euro 2024.
The Czechs beat Moldova 3-0 in Prague on Monday to book their ticket to Germany, but the match was marred by Silhavy’s decision to send three players home for “breaking the rules of space” before the match. West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal, Aris defender Jakub Brabec and Sparta Prague striker Jan Kuchta have been sacked after being spotted at a nightclub on Saturday.
Silhavy, 62, has been in charge of the Czech Republic for more than five years but will not lead his country at the European Championship next summer. The former Slavia Prague coach was heavily criticised during qualifying, as his team struggled to beat a supposedly weaker opponent. And he couldn’t play a horny taste for soccer.
“Although we are satisfied now, before the game we had already made the decision not to continue,” Silhavy revealed after the match. “I have informed [Czech Football Association] president Petr Fouska. The tension was already enormous – I didn’t even notice it. That also contributed to our decision. “
The 62-year-old later added: “It’s not just about me, but I have the whole implementation team. I’m convinced we’ve done our homework and we’re leaving some smart results. “
The Czech Republic finished second in Group E, the wonder of Albania and above Poland, against whom they drew 1-1 on Friday. After winning in September 2018, Silhavy guided the Czechs to the quarter-finals of the Covid-delayed Euro 2020. It progressed in the same organization as England, Scotland and Croatia.
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Czechia, as UEFA now calls them, only needed to beat Moldova to triumph at next summer’s finals. The tension in Prague eased early on, when winger David Doudera opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
Striker Tomas Chory then doubled his merit in the final stages before captain and in-form man Tomas Soucek, who also plays for West Ham, capped the win with his fourth successive goal in qualifying. The Czech Republic will now be in pot four of the organisation-wide draw that will take place next Saturday in Hamburg.
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