Football
Czech coach Zdeněk Zeman is not forgotten by the European champions, he received thanks from some of them
Czech coach Zdenek Zeman, who became famous abroad after leaving communist Czechoslovakia in 1969 at the age of 19, had five former charges in the squad of this year’s Italian European champions.
Five of his former charges were Czech coach Zdenek Zeman, who, after leaving communist Czechoslovakia in 1969 at the age of 19, made a name for himself abroad, mostly on the Apennine Peninsula, in the squad of this year’s Italian European champions. “I’m glad they don’t forget me,” he says, welcoming the gratitude of the footballers who have passed through his hands.
“From Pescara, with whom we were promoted to Serie A nine years ago, they are Immobile, Verratti and Insigne,” calculates coach Zeman. “Then when I took over AS Roma again, I pulled Florenzi, at Cagliari I coached Barella,” he adds two more. “That’s five European champions in total,” he introduces his star-studded ensemble.
It should be remembered that during his first stint in the ‘Eternal City’ (1997-1999), he only acquired a family relationship with Italian legend Francesco Totti, 2006 World Champion. The Roman football idol also invited the Czech giant to his wedding and gave him a very honourable place at the festive table.
He maintains the same friendly ties with European champion Ciro Immobile. “He lives in Rome close to me, we are in contact,” says Zeman. “He thanked me publicly, Insigne,” recalls the other magnificent striker of the squadra azzurra.
The Czech coach considers the European title a great satisfaction for Italy. “When they didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, it looked like football would end in the country. There was such an upset,” he recalls the sad chapter of the four-time world champions.
“In the end, they turned out pretty well,” he welcomes this year’s triumph. ” They are European champions,” he stresses.
He has always been known for his high standards, and he didn’t shy away from that when assessing the Italian haze. “They only played nice attacking football in a few games in the regular group, against Turkey and Switzerland,” says Zeman.
“Against Austria they were already evenly matched, the same with Belgium, and in the semi-final against Spain they were worse in terms of play. Even in the final against England, they didn’t dominate,” he points out.
He also finds an explanation. “They weren’t as well trained, the performance was already declining,” he observes. “But they won,” he admits. “It is sold that they played attractive football, but it wasn’t quite like that,” says the Czech coach, who has rejoined the training process.
At the age of 74, he has taken over the third-league Foggia team for the fourth time in his coaching career. “It’s a matter of my heart,” Zeman makes no secret of it.
