Czech Republic U-21 Team Begins New Chapter Under Coach Michal Bílek
Uherské Hradiště,Czech Republic – Today marks the start of a new era for the Czech Republic’s Under-21 national team as they kick off their campaign in Uherské Hradiště. The change comes after the departure of Jan Suchopárek, who guided the team for four years, achieving success in reaching final tournaments in all but the most recent cycle. Suchopárek acknowledged the need for fresh leadership,stating it was time to step aside nonetheless of European Championship qualification.
Taking the helm is Michal Bílek, who previously held a position with Victoria Pilsen since June 2023. Bílek expressed a renewed sense of purpose, admitting he felt a dip in energy before accepting the role. Though, he’s brimming with ambition, stating, ”I have experienced a lot in football, both as a player and a coach… What I really want is to compete at the European Championship with the U-21 team. That’s a huge motivation for me.”
Bílek will be supported by assistants Marek Bakoš and Jan Kameník as they begin the task of building a largely new squad.Ondřej Kricfaluši stands out as the most experienced player with eleven U-21 appearances, but the majority of the current roster are poised to earn their first caps.
A especially exciting addition to the team is young striker Yannick Eduardo, a rising talent currently with RB Leipzig. Born in northern Bohemia, Eduardo has chosen to represent the Czech Republic over his native Netherlands, citing strong family ties. “I have most of my family here. We celebrate every Christmas in Kadaň,” Eduardo explained in a recent interview.”This gives me the chance to be in the Czech Republic more often.” He also highlighted the perceived clearer pathway to the senior national team compared to the competitive Dutch setup, noting the Czech Republic’s strong interest in securing his commitment.
The “lion cubs,” as the team is affectionately known, will look to begin their qualifying journey with a victory tonight at the Miroslav Valenta stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 PM local time.
keywords: Czech Republic U-21, Michal Bílek, Jan Suchopárek, Yannick Eduardo, European Championship Qualification, Football, Soccer, Czech Football, U-21 Football.
