UEFA Champions League

At the beginning of the press conference after another successful duel, he paused for a moment. “I guess I still don’t understand what we’ve done,” said the Danish coach. Otherwise, he seemed relaxed and was clearly excited about the successful tour among the top Europeans. And even for reasons that a normal mortal wouldn’t happen to begin with…

Is this your best football experience?

We have achieved something very big. I am happy for all Spartans. For the implementation team, players and fans. And I’m also glad that I don’t have to listen to Tomáš Sivok (Sporting manager of Sparta, editor’s note) anymore. He had already played in the Champions League with Sparta, so he kept talking about it. (laughter)

In the main stage of the Champions League, you can also see Feyenoord, which is managed by former Sparta coach Brian Priske. What would you say to such a thing?

Yeah, that might be fun. But otherwise, I don’t know who I would like. There are many great teams and coaches in the competition that inspire me. In the Europa League last season, I was hoping we would get Liverpool. But was it really good in the end? I am really looking forward to the clashes with the best. What will come.

Do you think Sparta is ready for the highest level?

A tough question. Then in January you can look back and say we weren’t ready because we only got a certain number of points. We will face the best teams and players in the world. It will be a different level. We will do everything in our power to prove that Sparta belongs to the Champions League.

In a few months, you have erased enough historical pains. Sparta’s poor away record in the preliminary rounds, long wait for the Champions League. Are there any left?

(laughter) Your journalists will surely find something again. But I understand. We are riding a positive wave, we have already recovered enough. In my opinion, the most important thing is that we all stay hungry. Even though we have won the league twice and now they are in the Champions League. We must always want to achieve more and more.

What makes current Sparta special, that it was able to fight among the narrowest elite after such a time?

High intensity, work without the ball. Besides, we score goals every time. This year we probably only had three games in which we didn’t score. I would like us to continue with the established trend, but it will be difficult in the Champions League. I am a real person after all.

Do you see promotion to the Champions League as a big milestone for your coaching career?

Look, I’m just a boring person from the country of Denmark. In football, I try to work in such a way that after every day I look in the mirror and say that I worked 100 percent. I was good enough and lucky enough to get Sparta into the Champions League, but I’m not the best coach in the world. Although of course I will put it in my CV. (smile)

Full Letná brought you to progress. Did you like the stormy atmosphere?

When we play at home, it’s always amazing. In addition, it was a game under artificial lights, and what’s more, in Europe, so it was even more amazing. In the last two weeks, even while I was walking around Prague, I felt that the Spartans saw a great opportunity. They showed why they are the best fans in the Czech Republic.