Four days after Czechia’s upset 2-1 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying loss on the road against the Faroe Islands, the Czech Football Association has relieved head coach Ivan Hasek of his duties.
Capped more than 50 times by his nation, Hasek had a brief former stint at the helm in 2009 before returning in January 2024. During that time the 62-year-old took charge of 21 international matches, winning 11 with five draws, and five defeats.
The defeat to the Faroe Islands was a setback in the nation’s bid for a direct World Cup berth. Section pacesetters Croatia are now three points ahead in Group L, having played a game less than the Czechs. The Faroese are lurking in third place, one point behind.
A win for Croatia when they host the Faroe Islands on 14 November would seal Czechia’s playoff place, however should the Faroese pull off another upset, the Czechs would drop to third place. The concluding group match on 17 November against bottom-placed Gibraltar would then be a true final for the Czechs.
The Czechs’ greatest World Cup successes came some time ago when, as Czechoslovakia, they finished runners-up in 1934 and 1962. The nation’s most recent World Cup appearance was at Germany 2006 where they were eliminated in the group stage.
The association is yet to name Hasek’s successor although that is expected shortly given it is just one month to that decisive home fixture.
