After the winning match of the fourth league round in Olomouc (2:1), the coach of Slovácko players, Martin Svědík, admitted that the author of the decisive goal, Libor Kozák, was not on his list of reinforcements in the summer. According to his words, the coach neglected the former national team striker and the tense situation was only helped by a conversation between the two actors on Saturday.
“I have to say it, it’s been in my mind for a long time – I didn’t have Libor on my list of reinforcements. However, he came and my task is to work him into the team, to support him mentally. But I couldn’t suppress my ego, which wasn’t fair to Libor. I apologize to him for that, we talked about it yesterday and now he has my full support,” Svědík said at the press conference.
Kozák has nine national team starts and two goals. In the past, Lazio played for Roma, in whose jersey he became the best scorer in the Europa League in the 2012/13 season, or for England’s Aston Villa. He played in the Czech league for Liberec and Sparta, he came to Slovácko in the summer as a free agent from the Hungarian team Puskás Akadémia. However, he did not want to elaborate on the circumstances of his arrival in the fourth team last season.
“No player would probably join the team if he knew explicitly that the coach didn’t want him. But it’s a bit more complicated, so I don’t want to discuss it any further. I’m glad we talked about it, even if it wasn’t easy. But it was honest and thanks to that the air was cleared,” said the 33-year-old striker, who completed the turnaround in Olomouc in the 73rd minute with a spot-kick.
Kozák, despite the colder relations with the coach, started in the last three league matches in the starting line-up. “Our conversation was about better communication and trust towards Libor. I clearly take it upon myself, it was my fault. After that conversation we both felt relieved. You learn from mistakes, and as demanding as I am to the players, I am also demanding to myself . I’m not afraid to admit when I make a mistake. Here, it was essential from the very beginning,” Svědík explained.
“This is the basis, when something doesn’t work, it’s nice to talk about it. We found common ground, which is important in the final. It’s a relief, of course,” added Kozák.
