Czech Republic coach Koubek resigns after early World Cup exit

PRAGUE (AP) — Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek resigned on Monday after the team’s early exit from the World Cup.

The decision was mutual, Koubek and Czech Football Association head David Trunda said in a statement.

“The coach offered me his position at a personal meeting today, and I decided to accept his offer after an open and fair debate,” Trunda said.

Koubek said he was responsible for the poor results at the World Cup, where the Czechs lost to South Korea and Mexico and drew with South Africa. 

The Czechs finished at the bottom of Group A with one point.

Still, his announcement came as a surprise. 

After returning from the World Cup, Koubek originally said he was ready to continue as coach, and Pavel Nedvěd, the general manager of Czech teams, suggested Koubek remained the right person for the job.

“A media campaign against me based on some half-truths and fabrications also contributed to my decision,” Koubek said. 

“In such an atmosphere, my work for the Czech national team would no longer make sense.”

It was not immediately clear who might replace him.

The 74-year-old Koubek took over in December, signing a contract for 2 1/2 years. 

He successfully qualified the Czechs for their first World Cup in 20 years. 

They earned European playoff wins against Ireland and Denmark.

Koubek’s resignation followed the international retirement of the team’s major star, Patrik Schick, just hours after the World Cup elimination.

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