Jozef Ježek: A Century of Football Innovation and Passion
Jozef Ježek, declared teh Czechoslovak Coach of the Century, left an indelible mark on European football through a career defined by tactical innovation, unwavering dedication, and a unique, often humorous, approach to management. His journey, spanning club and international levels, was filled with success and memorable anecdotes.Ježek’s club career peaked with feyenoord Rotterdam from 1978 to 1982, returning the Dutch giants to European competition. Though,he is perhaps best remembered for his two championships with Sparta Prague,building a formidable team around Andrej Kvašňák even at the age of 60. And, of course, for leading Czechoslovakia to a glorious victory at the 1976 european Championship.
Known for his meticulous preparation,Ježek was a pioneer in opponent analysis. “He was the first to introduce opponents analyses,” recalls former player Straka. “we disassembled everyone in detail and then felt much better on the pitch.We were incredibly devouring it in the team.” He instilled a fervent passion for the game at Sparta, demanding a “bulldog work ethic” and knowing precisely when to motivate with a firm hand or encouraging words.
Beyond his tactical brilliance, Ježek possessed a colorful personality. A story illustrates his dedication to discipline: during a training camp in the Canary Islands, suspecting his players were sneaking out at night, he spent an entire night on watchdog duty. Discovering a fire ladder being used for clandestine excursions, he cleverly coated it with black shoe cream, leading to confessions when the players returned with soiled white shirts.
Following his time at Feyenoord (where he finished second in his debut season and later achieved third and fifth place finishes), Ježek briefly managed Swiss side Zurich before returning to Sparta for a highly successful second stint, adding four more league titles to his resume.
Ježek was an early adopter of technology, investing heavily in video analysis and even a satellite dish – a rarity in Czechoslovakia at the time – to stay ahead of the curve. His son, Pavel, recalls the significant expense: ”He brought a video for football. It cost 50,000 crowns in Tuzex, like half a million today.” He tirelessly scouted for talent, traveling the country and meticulously observing potential players.
He wasn’t just dedicated to football; Ježek was a man of culture, admiring the poetry of Jaroslav Seifert and even composing his own verses. He also found solace from the pressures of coaching behind the wheel of a car, often lighting up one of his twenty daily cigarettes.
Ježek’s influence extended to the national team, where he served as assistant coach to Jozef vengloš at the 1990 World Championship in Italy, reaching the quarterfinals – a role reversal from their successful partnership at the 1976 european Championship. He was known for his flexible tactical approach, famously instructing Franz Straka to ignore pre-persistent formations, trusting his individual ability in one-on-one situations and utilizing Pepík Chovanec’s ball skills by deploying him from the defensive line into midfield.
Jozef Ježek passed away in Prague on August 27, 1995, at the age of 71, succumbing to death in his sleep.His legacy, though, continues to inspire, solidifying his place as a true icon of the game and a deserving recipient of the title: Czechoslovak Coach of the Century.