I have cinders under my skin from the kids, Jiří Novotný recalls winter tournaments before Tipsport League

As a player, you experienced the winter tournament at Tatra Smichov, which was hated by many. Do you still have the cinders under your skin?

You yourself have experienced it as a player and coach. I assume you have only good memories.

I played for SIAD Most when I came back from my Russian assignment in Rubik Kazan. And Horst Siegl with me. We were led by coach Přemek Bičovský and, as I said, it was a nice diversification of the winter preparation.

In addition, it was played like this year at Xaverov, so we from Prague didn’t have to travel anywhere. When I, as a coach of Slavoj Vyšehrad, was offered to take part in it later, I didn’t hesitate.

This year, however, the tournament had to adapt to the World Championship in Qatar. The 2023 Winter League will take place in the autumn of 2022. Doesn’t it remind you a bit of your youth and the celebrations of the Great October Socialist Revolution (VŘSR) that took place in November?

It’s a bit of a laugh, but it can’t be helped this year. As long as it serves its purpose.

What’s better – playing a tournament before the Christmas holidays or in early January?

I think this model is more comfortable for the players. They would only have to run and get fitter now, playing matches is always more welcome. Moreover, the coaches will check the players of the whole squad in the competitive matches, and also those who came back from the away games. And for the new year, they have a better idea of who they can count on.

After goalkeeper Jaromir Blažek, you became the tournament’s patron. Did you apply yourself or did you go through an audition?

No, the organizers approached me, I was happy to accept. I have teams that interest me, some of them I used to play for myself, of course mainly for Sparta, but also for Liberec.

But your Sparta only broadcasts the B team. Isn’t it a pity that the A-team doesn’t participate?

As far as I know, they don’t play it for a long time. So does Slavia. It’s an opportunity for youngsters to prove themselves. To see what quality they have against first league opponents.

All your predecessors as patrons had a Bohemian past. Not you. Didn’t she at least want you to transfer?

There was never any contact. But I used to play hockey with the owner, Mr. Darko Jakubowicz, so there are close contacts. We’re kindred spirits.