Miroslav Koubek.(Image: Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Ireland’s World Cup qualifying opponents have announced the appointment of a new head coach.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will take on Czechia in March in a semi-final play-off, with the winners going on to face Denmark or North Macedonia to decide who goes to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Miroslav Koubek has taken over the Czechia national team today and will lead them out against Ireland in Prague in three months’ time.
74-year-old Koubek has managed a handful of Czech clubs in his time as a manager, winning the league with FC Viktoria Plzeň in 2015.
He has also managed Sparta Prague, where he spent four years of his playing career as a goalkeeper.
Speaking on the World Cup qualifiers, he said: “We will do everything to clinch a World Cup spot.”
“This is my task, and I have to cope with it. I call it heads or tails, but I’m optimistic and believe that we’ll make it.”
Koubek replaces Ivan Hasek who received his marching orders after a shock 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands in October.
Croatia topped Group L, winning seven of their eight games while Czechia finished four points above the Faroe Islands in second, winning five of their games in a group that also included Montenegro and Gibraltar.
Czechia also confirmed that March’s play-off showdown will be played in Fortuna Arena, meaning Ireland are likely to face a low ticket allocation.
Former Ballon d’Or winner and Czechia general manager Pavel Nedvěd: “He was really successful in European cups in the past two years.”