Czechia are facing a growing headache just three months out from their World Cup play-off semi-final against Ireland, with the search for a new manager drifting dangerously close to crunch time.

According to reporting by John Fallon in the Irish Examiner, the Czech FA have been left scrambling after their preferred option, Jindřich Trpišovský, was ruled out due to resistance from his club, Slavia Prague.

Pavel Nedvěd, the federation’s football lead, had been pushing hard for Trpišovský to take the reins following the dismissal of Ivan Hašek, who was sacked within days of a damaging defeat to the Faroe Islands in October.

Trpišovský’s domestic success with Slavia Prague made him the standout candidate, particularly given the heavy Slavia influence in the Czech squad, seven of their players featured in the home-based panel last November. Nedvěd believed that familiarity could help steady a national team whose relationship with supporters has become increasingly strained.

However, Slavia’s refusal to entertain any form of job-sharing brought that plan to an abrupt halt, despite Trpišovský himself indicating an openness to the idea after a recent Champions League defeat to Tottenham.

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Instead, Slavia have pledged financial backing to help the federation pursue a high-profile foreign appointment, though progress has been slow.

Slaven Bilić had emerged as a potential candidate, with his work in elevating Croatia’s international standing still highly regarded. The former West Ham and West Brom manager has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fateh last year and has spoken publicly about his desire to return to management.

Despite that, it’s The 42 reported that Bilic did not appreciate being considered second choice. 

Speaking over the weekend, Pavel Nedvěd admitted his disappointment at missing out on Trpišovský but confirmed that the search is ongoing.

Trpišovský would be a logical and excellent alternative for the Czechia team.
He is one of our most experienced and successful coaches and would certainly have undeniable authority among the players and the public.

It is a pity that this option could not be implemented. Our work on hiring a new coach for the Czech team continues. Further negotiations await us.

Czechia, ranked 44th in the FIFA standings, sit 15 places above Ireland but have not appeared at a World Cup since 2006, four years after Ireland’s last appearance. While they have qualified for the last eight European Championships in succession, their absence from the global stage continues to linger.

The play-off semi-final against Ireland is scheduled for March 26, with the winners set to host either Denmark or North Macedonia in the final for a place at the 2026 World Cup. The semi-final is expected to take place at Prague’s Fortuna Arena, which holds just under 20,000 spectators.

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