Slovan cut coach Straka adrift

ŠK Slovan Bratislava have parted company with coach František Straka, with the Slovak champions having won just one of their last ten games in all competitions.

A 4-0 reverse at First League leaders FK AS Trenčín on Sunday proved to be one defeat too many for Slovan, whose chief executive Petr Kaspar explained: "After losing in Trencin, we finally decided to end our relationship with Mr Straka. At the end of August we were on a winning streak, but then it ended. I do not remember when Slovan last had a run of results like this."

Slovan won eight of their first nine matches this campaign, but have scored only once in their last seven – including UEFA Europa League Group I losses to BSC Young Boys and SSC Napoli.

The 56-year-old Straka was capped 35 times by Czechoslovakia, spending the best years of his career as a defender with AC Sparta Praha and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach. He subsequently coached sides in Austria, Greece, Australia and Poland, also having a one-match stint as Czech national team boss.

He was due to lead Slovan against his old club Sparta in the UEFA Europa League on 23 October. Slovan have said they will choose his replacement during the international break.