Radoslav Kováč is the new manager of FC Viktoria Plzeň. He will lead the team’s first training session this evening and will make his debut on the touchline on Thursday in the match against Crvena Zvezda.

“Negotiations have been very intense since Friday, and I am pleased that we quickly found common ground and can already today introduce Radoslav Kováč as the new head coach of FC Viktoria Plzeň,” said Adolf Šádek, chairman of the board and the club’s chief executive.

“Given Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg and the upcoming league matches, there isn’t much time and we need to get down to work straight away. We expect the coach to breathe new life into the team immediately and get them back on a winning streak. That is our clear objective for the coming period,” he added.

Forty-six-year-old Radoslav Kováč signed a contract today at the Doosan Arena, running until the end of the season with a subsequent two-year option. He will be introduced to the team this evening and will then lead his first training session. Joining him at Viktoria are assistant coach David Mikula and fitness coach Michal Hampl, whilst Marek Bakoš, goalkeeping coach Matúš Kozáčik, fitness coach Martin Kastner and the entire analytics department, led by Michael Kotrč, Martin Pavlíček and Zdeněk Bečka, will remain in their roles. Petr Bolek, who has been involved in training goalkeepers at the club’s academy, will join the goalkeeping staff.

“Viktoria’s offer appealed to me straight away. Taking my place on their bench is a huge responsibility for me, and an honour at the same time. I feel a great desire to succeed, and we’re getting straight down to work,” said Radoslav Kováč after signing the contract.

“I know the vast majority of the players well. I’m convinced they possess immense quality and potential, which we need to unlock right from our first meeting. We need to catch our breath quickly and be perfectly prepared for Thursday. I believe the fans will support us in this too; their energy can help us immensely. So I have a request for all Viktoria fans – come along and let’s try to turn this around together; in football, it’s definitely possible,” said the new manager, rallying the team ahead of Thursday, when he will make his debut on the bench in the match against Crvena Zvezda.