“I think he did a great job. We thought we would play the semi-finals of the cup and the 30th round of the league and then sit down. If the state of health allows it, we will be able to definitively say in a few days whether it will continue or not. The results of the work speak in favor of Miroslav Koubek staying. So far, we haven’t had time to get to it due to travel,” Viktoria Chairman of the Board Adolf Šádek told CT on Wednesday.
As reported by Sport.cz last week, Plzeň clearly declared an interest in the 72-year-old coach extending his engagement in Štruncovy sady by a year. He should have received a verbal offer at that point, but he was still hesitating. Possible reasons? Age and the knowledge that repeating a similar season will be difficult. On the other hand, Koubek likes to look for motivation.
“He’s already made up his mind. They are agreed, the only thing missing is the definitive signature,” independent Sport.cz sources agree, adding that the wife’s blessing also played a role. So this is a small but very important shift.
Plzeň is experiencing a successful season under Koubek, perhaps even more than planned. “I am happy that we are in the final of the MOL Cup. We played in the quarter-finals of the Conference League and are third in the league. We build the team as we go, the players adapt. The vintage brought a number of interesting and even unexpected stories,” Koubek summarized after Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Zlín in the cup semi-finals.
He came to the club in the summer, primarily as a temporary solution for one competition cycle. And from the beginning it rubbed. But Koubek was able to incorporate newcomers such as Robin Hranáč, Sampson Dweh or Lukáš Červ, midfielder Pavel Šulc literally blossomed under him. Striker Tomáš Chorý is keeping his form and goalkeeper Martin Jedlička is perhaps a more than worthy successor to Jindřich Staňek.
“He is a strategist par excellence. He tailors tactical plans, adapts them to each opponent. In addition, he is also a great motivator,” David Limberský, who celebrated the championship title under Koubek in the 2014/15 season, praised his former superior in the Přímák program.
The title is the only trophy that Koubek has won with Pilsen so far. He will aim for the second on Wednesday, May 22 in the MOL Cup final against Sparta. Šádek also mentioned that triumph in the cup is one of the club’s priorities. But it is almost certain that even a possible failure will not change the fact that Koubek will continue in the west of Bohemia in the next year as well. Apparently, the option with Martin Svědík, who will leave Slovácko at the end of the season, also falls through.
Extremely important months full of ambition and challenges await Victoria. The Czech champion from next season directly qualifies for the main stage of the Champions League. In addition, due to their position in the table and participation in the cup final, Plzeň is assured of the 3rd preliminary round of the Europa League.
