Chovanec replaces Lavička at Sparta
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Article summary
Former Czech Republic coach Jozef Chovanec has returned for a third spell at the AC Sparta Praha helm after Vítězslav Lavička resigned following Monday's 4-1 home defeat at home to city rivals SK Slavia Praha.
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Barren spell
The 45-year-old Lavička arrived in the summer having spent a season in charge of the national Under-21 team following a successful stint at FC Slovan Liberec – guiding them to the Czech title in 2006. His tenure at Sparta began well, but despite that promise the side have stuttered and the loss at home to league leaders Slavia made it six competitive games without a victory.
Success
That sequence saw Sparta eliminated from the UEFA Cup – following their earlier UEFA Champions League exit – and slip to third in the 1. Liga, five points behind Monday's opponents. They needed penalties to edge past third-division Frýdek-Místek in the Czech Cup and Lavička has decided to step down, opening the door to the club's chairman, Chovanec. The 48-year-old former international defender led Sparta to the title in 1998 and, having had four years as Czech Republic coach, he also assumed the hot seat at the capital club for the last two matches of 2007/08 after Michal Bílek resigned.
