Rose

by | Mar 19, 2018 | Rose

How Can We Help?
You are here:
< Back

František Straka (born 28 May 1958) is a Czech former football player and current manager of Michalovce.[1]

Biography

Playing career

Straka played most notably for Sparta Prague. In 1988, he moved to Germany and spent the rest of his playing career there. He played for Czechoslovakia and was a participant in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He played total 35 matches for the national team from 1983 to 1990.[2]

Coaching career

After retiring from playing, he began coaching. Straka led several top flight Czech clubs, including FK Teplice, Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzeň. He also coached abroad in Austria, Slovakia and Greece. In 2009, he was selected as temporary manager of the Czech Republic national football team.[3] On 30 June 2009, after only one game in charge he left the position. He won his only match, a 1–0 friendly over Malta on 5 June 2009.[4]

In June 2010, he was appointed head coach of the North Queensland Fury in Townsville, Australia. He became a fan favourite in Australia, due to his affable personality and fashion sense.[5] Straka was ready to lead the North Queensland Fury for another season, however the club folded in 2011 because of financial difficulties.

After speculation he was going to replace Ernie Merrick at Melbourne Victory,[6] Straka returned to Europe, where he was announced manager of Polish Ekstraklasa club Arka Gdynia. In October 2011, he was announced as the replacement for Michal Petrouš as manager of SK Slavia Prague.[7] His appointment as a new manager of Slavia sparked controversy and protests from Slavia fans, who saw Straka as a rival Sparta's patriot.[8] Straka's appointment was also criticized by Sparta fans, who saw Straka as a traitor[9] After just five months in the job, Straka resigned in March 2012.[10] Straka returned to the Czech First League after a year's break in March 2013, joining bottom of the table side 1. FK Příbram.[11] He lasted only half a year in this job before being replaced by their former manager, Petr Čuhel.[12]

In December 2016, he was appointed as manager of Egyptian side Ismaily SC signing a 1.5-year contract. It was the first time position in the Arab region or Africa of his career.[13]

On 20 February 2024, Straka was appointed as manager of Slovak side Michalovce.[14]

Personal life

Straka holds German citizenship and is fluent in German. Fans often call him Franz Straka.

Honours

Managerial

Teplice

Sparta Prague

Slovan Bratislava

References

  1. ^ "Straka znovu na ligové scéně! Čeká ho záchranářská mise". sport.cz (in Czech). Czech News Agency. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  2. ^ František Straka at FAČR (in Czech)
  3. ^ "Straka selected new Czech Republic soccer coach". Sports Illustrated.com. 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Interim Czech coach Straka axed". Sky Sports. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  5. ^ "Franz Fever Inspires His Side". Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Ex-North Queensland coach Straka wants Melbourne Victory job". Tribal Football. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  7. ^ "Novým trenérem Slavie se stal Straka, Petrouš váhá, jestli vzít béčko". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 2 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  8. ^ Šedivý, Petr (17 October 2011). "Straka je škodná, protestovali fanoušci Slavie při pochodu Prahou". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech).
  9. ^ Novák, Miloslav (14 October 2011). "Sparťanští chuligáni útočí na Straku: Jsi zrádce, napsali na jeho dům". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech).
  10. ^ "Trenéra Straku proti Jablonci nahradí dosavadní asistent Poustka". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 9 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Fotbalový trenér Straka se vrací do ligy, převezme poslední Příbram". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 10 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  12. ^ "Trenér Straka skončil ve fotbalové Příbrami. Nahradí ho Čuhel". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 7 October 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  13. ^ Straka, František (27 April 2017). "Straka o konci v Egyptě: Zkolaboval kvůli mně Facebook, fanoušci brečeli". Blesk (in Czech). Interviewed by Radek Špryňar. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Struhára na lavičke strieda Straka". mfkzemplin.sk (in Slovak). MFK Zemplín Michalovce. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
Categories
Table of Contents