Czech master Dovalil on his own learning curve

With a father who is an eminent professor at the renowned Charles University's Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Prague, it is hardly surprising that Czech Republic coach Jakub Dovalil has proved both a fine student and teacher of the game.

A former SK Slavia Praha reserve team player, Dovalil hung up his boots and moved into coaching while ex-team-mate Vladimír Šmicer eased through the ranks to the Czech national team and a UEFA Champions League triumph. The pair are now reunited at the Football Association of the Czech Republic (ČMFS) with Šmicer the national senior team manager, and Dovalil one of his country's foremost tacticians.

"I don't really have any role models," Dovalil told UEFA.com at the Czech Republic's training camp near Viborg. "I like the way Arsenal play with youngsters even if they haven't won any trophies. They've brought through a lot of players to international level. I also watch Barcelona, of course, but I don't have any particular role models. I try to take things from others when I speak with them or watch a training session or see them on television. I've visited a lot of training sessions in both the Czech Republic and abroad, that's part of a coach's job."

While his playing career proved short-lived and relatively unsuccessful, Dovalil promises to make more of a name for himself in the dug-out with his reputation steadily growing since he took over the Czech Under-16 team in 2002. The UEFA European Under-21 Championship's youngest coach at 37, Dovalil has stepped up to the second tier of international football along with a number of the squad he has brought with him to Denmark.

"We have a lot of players who have come through at Slavia Prague, and I've known some of them for 12 years or so," said Dovalil, who has selected six of the squad he steered to the 2008 U19 semi-finals on home soil, some of who also lost the 2006 U17 final on penalties to Russia. "That's an advantage, because you don't have so much time to work with them at this level. When you know what you can expect from a player, it certainly helps."

The team that reached the last four of the U19 event three years ago were halted in extra time by eventual winners Germany. The two nations were reunited in qualifying for this year's U21 tournament with Dovalil this time getting the better of the defending champions and country where he honed his coaching skills.

"We simply have to learn from Germany," said Dovalil, who took his first coaching badges in Cologne and last season turned down the assistant coach's role at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. "Five or six years ago, young players had a problem establishing themselves in the Bundesliga. So a lot of money was put into youth development. Now they have a very strong group of young players. A lot of players have been able to break through into the Bundesliga. For example, the champions last season, Dortmund, were the youngest side in the Bundesliga."

Having signed a contract extension that will take him through to 2014, Dovalil is likely to have the chance to fashion another generation of Czech talent. Only five of the current squad will be eligible when the next U21 finals come round in Israel in two years' time. Though the faces may change, however, the team's play will likely be based on the beliefs that have served Dovalil well so far.

"My philosophy is to always play attacking football. But that depends on the players. When you have players that can play attacking football, you can do that. But when you don't, you have to adapt," said the Czech U21 boss, who – despite their semi-final berth – believes his current charges can still get better.

"They know they can defend well and stay organised, but we have to improve on bringing the ball out. We have to improve both technically and tactically, particularly in one-on-ones, and one-touch passing. Those are things we have to work on." Given the Dovalil family pedigree for teaching, it is likely the lessons will be learned quickly.