František Straka Explained

František Straka
Full Name:František Straka
Birth Date:28 May 1958
Birth Place:České Budějovice, Czechoslovakia
Height:1.82 m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:České Budějovice (manager)
Youthyears1:1966–1977
Youthclubs1:Dynamo České Budějovice
Years1:1977–1979
Clubs1:Dukla Tachov
Years2:1979–1988
Caps2:233
Goals2:10
Years3:1988–1991
Caps3:81
Goals3:1
Years4:1991–1992
Clubs4:Hansa Rostock
Caps4:34
Goals4:0
Years5:1992–1996
Clubs5:Wuppertaler SV
Caps5:93
Goals5:7
Years6:1996–1998
Caps6:35
Goals6:8
Nationalyears1:1983–1990
Nationalcaps1:35
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1999–2001
Managerclubs1:Wuppertaler SV
Manageryears2:2001–2002
Managerclubs2:Teplice (assistant)
Manageryears3:2002–2004
Managerclubs3:Teplice
Manageryears4:2004
Managerclubs4:Sparta Prague
Manageryears5:2005
Managerclubs5:LR Ahlen
Manageryears6:2006
Managerclubs6:Viktoria Plzeň
Manageryears7:2006–2007
Managerclubs7:FC Wacker Tirol
Manageryears8:2007–2008
Managerclubs8:České Budějovice
Manageryears9:2008
Managerclubs9:OFI Crete
Manageryears10:2009
Managerclubs10:Czech Republic
Manageryears11:2009–2010
Managerclubs11:Ružomberok
Manageryears12:2010–2011
Managerclubs12:North Queensland Fury
Manageryears13:2011
Managerclubs13:Arka Gdynia
Manageryears14:2011–2012
Managerclubs14:Slavia Prague
Manageryears15:2014
Managerclubs15:Slovan Bratislava
Manageryears16:2016–2017
Managerclubs16:Ismaily SC
Manageryears17:2017
Managerclubs17:Smouha SC
Manageryears18:2018
Managerclubs18:Al-Ansar SC
Manageryears19:2019
Managerclubs19:Karviná
Manageryears20:2020–2021
Managerclubs20:Třinec
Manageryears21:2023
Managerclubs21:AS Trenčín
Manageryears22:2024
Managerclubs22:Michalovce
Manageryears23:2024–
Managerclubs23:České Budějovice

František Straka (born 28 May 1958) is a Czech former football player and current manager of Dynamo České Budějovice.[1]

Biography

Playing career

Straka played most notably for Sparta Prague. In 1988, he moved to Germany and spent the rest of his playing career there. He played for Czechoslovakia and was a participant in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He played total 35 matches for the national team from 1983 to 1990.

Coaching career

After retiring from playing, he began coaching. Straka led several top flight Czech clubs, including FK Teplice, Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzeň. He also coached abroad in Austria, Slovakia and Greece. In 2009, he was selected as temporary manager of the Czech Republic national football team.[2] On 30 June 2009, after only one game in charge he left the position. He won his only match, a 1–0 friendly over Malta on 5 June 2009.[3]

In June 2010, he was appointed head coach of the North Queensland Fury in Townsville, Australia. He became a fan favourite in Australia, due to his affable personality and fashion sense.[4] Straka was ready to lead the North Queensland Fury for another season, however the club folded in 2011 because of financial difficulties.

After speculation he was going to replace Ernie Merrick at Melbourne Victory,[5] Straka returned to Europe, where he was announced manager of Polish Ekstraklasa club Arka Gdynia. In October 2011, he was announced as the replacement for Michal Petrouš as manager of SK Slavia Prague.[6] His appointment as a new manager of Slavia sparked controversy and protests from Slavia fans, who saw Straka as a rival Sparta's patriot.[7] Straka's appointment was also criticized by Sparta fans, who saw Straka as a traitor[8] After just five months in the job, Straka resigned in March 2012.[9] Straka returned to the Czech First League after a year's break in March 2013, joining bottom of the table side 1. FK Příbram.[10] He lasted only half a year in this job before being replaced by their former manager, Petr Čuhel.[11]

In December 2016, he was appointed as manager of Egyptian side Ismaily SC signing a 1.5-year contract. It was the first time position in the Arab region or Africa of his career.[12]

On 20 February 2024, Straka was appointed as manager of Slovak side Michalovce.[13]

On 28 July 2024, Straka was appointed as manager of Dynamo České Budějovice.[14]

Personal life

Straka holds German citizenship and is fluent in German. Fans often call him Franz Straka.

Honours

Managerial

Teplice

Sparta Prague

Slovan Bratislava

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Czech News Agency. Straka znovu na ligové scéně! Čeká ho záchranářská mise. sport.cz. 26 March 2023. 29 March 2023. cs.
  2. News: Straka selected new Czech Republic soccer coach . Sports Illustrated.com . 12 May 2009 . 26 May 2009 . 24 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211445/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/05/12/2050.ap.soc.czech.republic.new.coach.1st.ld.writethru.0333/index.html . dead .
  3. Web site: Interim Czech coach Straka axed. 30 June 2009. Sky Sports. 7 July 2009.
  4. Web site: Franz Fever Inspires His Side . 3 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100818074908/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/180444,franz-fever-inspires-his-side.aspx . 18 August 2010 .
  5. Web site: Ex-North Queensland coach Straka wants Melbourne Victory job. 21 March 2011. Tribal Football. 23 March 2011.
  6. News: Novým trenérem Slavie se stal Straka, Petrouš váhá, jestli vzít béčko . cs . Mladá fronta DNES . 2 October 2011 . 4 October 2011.
  7. News: Šedivý. Petr. Straka je škodná, protestovali fanoušci Slavie při pochodu Prahou. Mladá fronta DNES. 17 October 2011. cs.
  8. News: Novák. Miloslav. Sparťanští chuligáni útočí na Straku: Jsi zrádce, napsali na jeho dům. Mladá fronta DNES. 14 October 2011. cs.
  9. News: Trenéra Straku proti Jablonci nahradí dosavadní asistent Poustka . cs . Mladá fronta DNES . 9 March 2012 . 9 March 2012.
  10. News: Fotbalový trenér Straka se vrací do ligy, převezme poslední Příbram. cs. Mladá fronta DNES. 10 March 2013. 11 March 2013.
  11. Web site: Trenér Straka skončil ve fotbalové Příbrami. Nahradí ho Čuhel. Mladá fronta DNES. 7 October 2013. 4 November 2013. cs.
  12. Web site: Straka. František. Straka o konci v Egyptě: Zkolaboval kvůli mně Facebook, fanoušci brečeli. Blesk. 27 April 2017. 29 March 2023. cs. Radek Špryňar.
  13. Web site: Struhára na lavičke strieda Straka. 20 February 2024. 21 February 2024. sk. MFK Zemplín Michalovce.
  14. Web site: Bartoš. Jonáš. Čistka v Dynamu: Vedení odvolalo trenéry, do ligy se vrací Straka. 28 July 2024. Blesk. cs. Czech News Center. 28 July 2024.