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Curtain call

Brückner could reunite with Nedvěd for one last run at Euro 2008

By František Bouc
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
March 26th, 2008 issue

Brückner has led the national team since 2002, and under his guidance the country has qualified for every major soccer tournament.
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When the managers of the national soccer team staged a routine media conference March 20 in Prague before a friendly game against Denmark, they had some important news to share. Little did they know, however, that their announcement would be immediately overshadowed.
After an absence of more than 10 years, the national team will make an appearance this summer at London’s Wembley Stadium, one of the world’s top arenas, in a game against England, the Czech Football Association (ČMFS) officials announced March 20.
Still, it was Karel Brückner, the team’s head coach and an icon of Czech soccer, who attracted the most attention moments later.
“The match [against England] is not going to be my business,” Brückner said. “In fact, it’s very unlikely I’ll continue guiding the national team after Euro 2008. I’ve decided to quit as the team’s head coach after the tournament. Having spent the past 34 years coaching, I think it’s time to leave. I’ve thought this through and I think it’s a correct and final decision.”
Brückner’s departure this summer will mark the end of an era for the team, one that began when he took over in 2002, after his predecessor, Jozef Chovanec, failed to guide the team to the World Cup that year.
Since then, Brückner has become the country’s undisputed leader in all things soccer, with his national team career peaking in the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal. The team’s impressive campaign was halted by Greece in the semifinals, but the coach was celebrated as a national hero upon his return to the country.
Under Brückner, the national team has been rock stable. He is the first coach to successfully lead the team through every major qualification round it has taken part in.
Although the Czechs had to undergo a dramatic playoff round against Norway in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, they still made the tournament after a 16-year absence. Once at the World Cup, in Germany, the team faltered, beating the United States but losing to Ghana and Italy, resulting in its elimination during the group phase.
Odd couple
If there has been a hallmark of the national team beyond its solid play during Brückner’s tenure, it has been the coach’s clashes with the team’s former captain and star, Pavel Nedvěd.
During the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Nedvěd refused to play on the team, originally saying his absence was due to his injuries. Later on, however, Nedvěd regularly played for Juventus in the Italian Serie A league, yet he refused to join the national squad.
Brückner didn’t accept Nedvěd’s arguments that he was injured and said he would nominate Nedvěd to the team. That prompted Nedvěd to call an end to his national team career, for he feared that a refusal to play would earn him a ban from UEFA, European soccer’s governing body.
The two men put aside their differences later in the World Cup, with Nedvěd returning for the qualification playoffs and group round. The veteran midfielder then retired from national team play, again, after the cup.
However, it now seems Brückner could be reunited with Nedvěd one more time. In early March, the Juventus midfielder once again raised the possibility of a comeback.
“I don’t know whether I should make a comeback now. I think [the Czech team’s management] would not even consider calling me,” Nedvěd said in an interview with the daily Sport.
Brückner said Nedvěd’s statement did not make him want to try and lure the mercurial star back to the fold.
“In my eyes, Nedvěd has ended his national team career,” Brückner said. “If he’s ready to return, it’ll be up to him to pick up the phone and make a clear statement.”
The 69-year-old coach says success in the Euro 2008 tournament now stands as his clear remaining priority.
“Although I made the announcement about my resignation, it doesn’t mean that my focus on the team is fading. In fact, success in Euro 2008 is the only thing that really matters right now,” Brückner said.
He added that he will consider securing advancement from the group stage to the playoff round in Euro 2008 such a success. The Czechs will play Switzerland, Portugal and Turkey in the group round, with the top two teams qualifying for the playoffs.
The team’s operational manager, Vlastimil Košťál, said he would offer Brückner an extension of his contract if the national team wins a medal in the tournament.
“Although I don’t expect Brückner to change his mind even if we win the tournament, I’d offer him a contract. … It would be a courtesy.”

František Bouc can be reached at fbouc@praguepost.com


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