At the famous United Stadium, Poborský raced in the jersey of the Czech national team during EURO 1996, without realizing that he would soon be wearing the equally famous Red Devils jersey …
When you first came to Old Trafford in the jersey of the Czech national team against Germany in the 1996 European Championships, did it occur to you that in a few weeks the stadium could be your home?
Of course not. I had some offers after that successful cup season with Slavia. Of course, smaller offers, from the French league, and other foreign clubs, this did not occur to me, nor did I think of anything similar at the time.
Karel Poborský always likes to bury himself under the old United Guard. In the archive film from 2019, Christian Nerlinger from Bayern Munich jumps over the match of legends.Photo: Profimedia.cz
When you returned to Manchester for the semifinals, you had a match with Portugal and the whole world wrote poems about you.
The situation was different. And our whole team as well. We still had nothing to lose, but suddenly we found out that it was working and that the team was stepping on, the group was great, that the other teams of us had respect, and that was also confirmed. And in fact, we were lucky again in that match. The goalkeeper held us back and everything that goes with it came together.
How many transfer offers have arrived after the lobby against Portugal?
I can’t say that. Definitely ten during the championship, but really high quality from top clubs. I can’t say it was a concern. I filtered them a lot and we agreed with the manager that we would solve everything after the tournament. The choice was clear. Of course, when I got the offer, I wanted the biggest one, which was Manchester.
Did Sir Ferguson, the coach of Manchester United, come to you directly at the hotel before the final?
The only person I met in person was Coach Ferguson. He asked only one thing: if I would be interested in Manchester and if he should continue any negotiations. Of course I said yes. I didn’t even believe that he came to see me in person. They called me from the front desk to the room that they were waiting for me downstairs. But there were a lot of jokes of a similar nature in the tournament, so I ignored the first call. It wasn’t until he called a second time that I ran downstairs. It was a pleasant shock for me.
When the negotiations with Slavia took place and you flew to Manchester for a tour, you did not have sports shoes, according to the story.
It is so. I ran barefoot because there were none in the hospital. These were health tests, not fitness tests, so I was done in five minutes. The club doctors were just amazed at the time that I had no surgery. I didn’t realize their astonishment until I came to England and saw teenagers who had all their knees and ankles operated on. It just occurred to me then that he was surprised that I had nothing operated on.
What was it like working in a team alongside Stormtrooper Erik Cantona?
That’s his sticker. He almost admitted a fan, he was punished for it, but otherwise it was almost an introvert, very quiet in the locker room. When there was nothing fundamental, it was basically impossible to see that he was there. Until he came to the field, where he dominated and bossed everything.
The devils’ jersey was then worn by a famous generation. Beckham, Scholes, Giggs … What were they like?
They enjoyed getting to prominence. They were closer to each other, it was such a party. But when I needed something, they always helped me. On the contrary, they may have had more fun than foreigners.
David Beckham when he played for Manchester UnitedPhoto: Profimedia.cz
Beckham was the competitor for you. Did you perceive him as a superstar?
At that time, his fame soared. He got together with Victoria and at that moment he was a bigger media star than a football star. But his football performances went hand in hand, as David was a huge talent. In the locker room, on the other hand, he was a cool, normal boy for any fun. But once he came out, it was like the Beatles coming somewhere. Terrible what the people did and how they went crazy about it. I wouldn’t want to live his life back then.
You still go to play for the Manchester United International. How do you follow the current team from Old Trafford?
After Ferguson, Manchester went through a not-so-bright period for the club. I would rather tell the blacks, because the managers took turns, the whole generation ended and basically almost the whole staff changed. Even the football that the current team plays has changed. It’s not as offensive as it used to be, there are a lot of tactical things that fans have to get used to.
Manchester has been waiting for another championship coronation for ten years. From this point of view, does your title get a hallmark of exceptionality?
I am the first Czech player to win a Premier League title. I was not the cornerstone of the set, I can’t talk about any extreme merit. On the other hand, in terms of prestige, it is incredible to be the champion in the Manchester United jersey. I really appreciate it!
