Czech Republic Sacks Coach Ivan Hasek Following Disappointing Results

Ivan Hasek out as Czech Republic National Team Coach

The Czech Football Association has parted ways with coach Ivan Hasek following a 2-1 loss to the Faroe Islands. Hasek's tenure was marked by disappointing results.

“We met with coach Hašek this morning. Then we had a vote and it was clearly, unanimously...”

The Czech Republic's football governing body, the FACR, has sacked coach Ivan Hasek following a humiliating 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in a World Cup qualifying match on Sunday. The decision was announced at a press conference held at the FACR headquarters, attended by chairman David Trunda and national team general manager Pavel Nedved.

The FACR stated that a new permanent coach is unlikely to be appointed until after the World Cup playoffs in March. Meanwhile, a caretaker coach will be named to lead the team until the end of the qualifying campaign. Former Czech great Pavel Nedved has been tasked with compiling a list of potential candidates to succeed Hasek, with a foreign coach likely to take over permanently.

The Czech Republic's campaign has suffered a significant setback, but they can still qualify for the 2026 World Cup. To advance to the playoffs, they need to secure second place in Group L by beating Gibraltar, a minnow, in their final match on November 17.

The Czech Football Association (FACR) committee members held a vote to decide Ivan Hasek's fate, ultimately unanimously deciding to terminate his contract as national coach.

“We met with coach Hašek this morning. Then we had a vote and it was clearly, unanimously, 100% decided that as of today we have terminated the cooperation with Ivan Hašek and Jaroslav Vesely,” Trunda said.

David Trunda revealed that the decision was 100% unanimous, following a meeting with Hasek and a subsequent vote. The FACR will now search for a new coach, a process that may take some time.

“He will prepare, let's say, a longer list of candidates from abroad,” Trunda explained.

Pavel Nedved, a former Czech football great, has been entrusted with the task of finding Hasek's successor.

David Trunda mentioned that finding Hasek's replacement might take some time. Pavel Nedved, the former Czech football great, has been tasked with compiling a list of potential candidates, focusing on foreign coaches.

Nedved's assignment is to create a comprehensive list of international candidates. Meanwhile, Miroslav Koubek, the former Viktoria Plzen coach, has emerged as a potential contender for the position. Conversely, Nedved dismissed speculation about Michal Bilek, the current Under-21 coach, or Jindrich Trpisovsky, Slavia Prague's coach, being considered for the role.

The Czech Football Association is working on appointing an interim coach to lead the team until the end of the qualifying campaign. According to reports, Jaroslav Kostl, the current assistant coach, might be the one taking over this role temporarily.

David Trunda, the FAČR president, mentioned that they're looking for a solution that will last until 2030.

“We want to find a solution that will make sense until 2030,” Trunda said.  

They're currently narrowing down their options and plan to submit two or three names to the executive committee. The goal is to find a suitable candidate who can guide the team forward.

“Not until the first of July. It could also be in the January period. In case that doesn't happen, there is also the option that we can use the help of some Czech coaches who are perhaps now tied up in clubs,” he outlined.

Trenér Ivan Hašek končí na lavičce národního týmu, který vedl od ledna 2024. 🇨🇿 Pod jeho vedením se reprezentaci podařilo postoupit do Ligy národů A. Celkem odkoučoval 21 utkání s bilancí 11 výher, 5 remíz a 5 porážek.

Více: https://t.co/kMovrnzvw9 pic.twitter.com/WC9sA6J35M

— Česká fotbalová reprezentace (@ceskarepre_cz) October 15, 2025

Ivan Hasek became the Czech national team coach in January 2024, succeeding Jaroslav Silhavy, who departed in November 2023. This marked Hasek's second stint at the helm, having previously led the team briefly in 2009 as the Football Association of the Czech Republic president.

Hasek's tenure lasted under two years, during which he managed the team in 21 matches. Under his leadership, the team won 11 matches and drew five. His contract was terminated after a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Faroe Islands in a World Cup qualifying match.

The Czech Republic's coach, Ivan Hasek, had a disappointing run with the team during last year's European Championships. Despite participating, the team was eliminated in the group stage after losses to Portugal and Turkey, leaving a sour taste regarding Hasek's selection.

Hasek's contract was set to expire at the end of the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle. However, his tenure ended abruptly after a string of poor performances, including a 4-1 thrashing in Georgia's Nations League match last year and a 5-1 World Cup qualifier loss in Croatia this June. These defeats, culminating in the shock loss to the Faroe Islands, likely contributed to the Czech Football Association's decision to part ways with him.

The Czech Republic's upcoming fixture is against San Marino on November 13th. This match marks one of their final tests in the qualification campaign.

Four days after facing San Marino, the Czech Republic will wrap up their qualification matches against Gibraltar. According to Trunda, this might be a strategic moment for a coaching transition, potentially paving the way for a new, possibly foreign coach to take the reins after the season.

The Czech Republic national team has failed to secure a direct spot in the championship, but they're poised to contest a playoff spot thanks to their Nations League victory last year. Currently, they're in second place, holding a one-point lead over the Faroe Islands ahead of their final match against Gibraltar in November. The team's second-place finish would secure a playoff berth.