Czech Republic manager Michal Bilek recently quit the national team in the middle of the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign. The football Association has moved in to appoint Josef Pesice as the interim manager until the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Czech Republic have been on a very poor run of form in recent years. Despite having a very talented squad that includes the likes of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Rosicky, there have been unable to make any inroads compared with teams in and around them.
This led to the manager Michal Bilek quitting his job only recently. This left the national team without a manager ahead of crucial qualifying matches against the likes of Italy. Pesice has been appointed as the interim, and he will be hoping to secure the job on a permanent basis. Pesice is not new to the national team job because he has been the assistant to the former manager even in the last match for Bilek – against Italy. Czech Republic lost the match 2-1 after an error from Cech. The Chelsea goalkeeper was quick to acknowledge his error, which led to the goal.
Czech Republic are currently fourth in the table with just nine points. They are four points below the final qualification spots.
“I have asked Josef Pesice to perform the job of head coach for the (qualification) games in Malta and Bulgaria,” said Czech FA head Miroslav Pelta after confirming the appointment. “I had to palm the first ball away, this is my fault. We have to win in other games,” said the Chelsea goalkeeper after the match against Italy. Czech Republic took the lead in the 19th minute through Kozák, but Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini equalised after 51 min. Milan striker Mario Balotelli scored the winner shortly afterwards.