In Pilsen, he won two titles, tasted the European League and qualified for the famous Champions League. He received the Talent of the Year award and played at the home EURO eight years ago with the 21-year-old. He received tempting offers, for example from the Bundesliga. But already at the age of twenty-four, the skilled stopper had to leave football. Surgery, rehabilitation, surgery, rehabilitation… The tiring carousel with a naughty knee drained Baránek, so at the end of 2018, after consulting with the doctors, he decided: “I’m done.”
At the time, it hurt him, but now he is sitting in a chair at the team hotel of the Czech twenty-one team in Hluboká and tells the story with perspective. He has a lot to talk about, his last five years have been very eventful.
“The most difficult was the first six months. I didn’t really know what to do next. But then it crystallized almost by itself: I joined the player’s agency and over time I got into coaching,” explains Baránek. His way? Dolní Benešov, Baník academy, Baník junior high school (assistant to Luboš Kozlo, Ondřej Smetana and Pavel Vrba) and since winter he has been Martin Svědík’s assistant in Slovácko.
By the way, that Witness, under whom he once played in Baník. “Even after that we were in contact. He asked how I was doing in Pilsen, and I was interested in his coaching journey. When I got to A’s Baník, I asked him a lot of things: How would you do it?” recounts Baránek. “I was happy when he called me in the winter that I could join him in Slovakia. I just finished in Baník.”
Joy also came during the summer phone call with Suchopárek, who offered him an adventure with the Lvíčat. Baránek also experienced Suchopárka already as an assistant at the twenty one. “The director was much the same back then as he is now,” he smiles. “After starting, I only looked around for a while and I was happy to win the friendly with Slovakia, it was a good premiere.”
His role with the Lionesses? A link between players and coaches, which is also offered due to age. “Here, too, I can recall my years with the 21-year-old: at the European Championship in Prague, we were eliminated in the group, but it was still an experience,” describes Baránek. “My former teammates are now regularly playing in the league or abroad, and when we meet, I like to chat with them.”
The knee does not limit him much, although instead of football, you can more often see him on a bike or with a hockey stick in his hand. However, most of Baránek’s time is taken up by coaching, his progress is remarkable. “I want to learn as much as I can while I can. I enjoy watching coaches react in specific moments. In addition, you are not with a league team and the 21st team every day,” Baránek appreciates. “It’s nice to have someone to learn from. Not everyone is lucky enough to train with three vice-champions of Europe.”
With Messrs. Suchopárek, Horňák and Kouba, they are playing for promotion to the EURO, but the twenty-first team has only one point in the qualification after the first two matches. After a 1-2 defeat in Iceland in September, Friday’s 1-1 draw with Wales came after a 96th-minute conceded goal. “October could have helped us a lot,” says Baránek about the battles with Wales and Denmark, which the Czechs have to overcome on Tuesday. “We wanted to win six points, but after the draw with Wales we have to aim for at least four.”
2023-10-15 15:20:02
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