Novotný entered big hockey in České Budějovice and helped the team last season, even though he ended his career the summer before last. During it, the 39-year-old striker played in the NHL, KHL and Swiss league.
“We considered various names, but after long negotiations with the club’s board of directors, the vision presented to us by Jirka Novotný, who was already interested in the happenings in the club’s sports department during the autumn and expressed an interest in working at Motor, was the most liked by him. In addition, it has several advantages , because he orients himself in the club’s environment, has an overview of the current staff and, as a former player agent, knows the player market at home and abroad,” said general manager Stanislav Bednařík.
Former outstanding striker and 2010 world champion Jiří Novotný becomes the new sports manager of Motor! In the following years, he will be responsible for the selection of coaches, players and the overall sports concept of the club.
Good luck in your new job, Jirko ???? pic.twitter.com/ECXYEwRo9f
— HC Motor Ceske Budejovice (@HC_Motor) February 8, 2023
“We believe that it will long-term fulfill the concept of how we want Motor to work in the sports section,” said the head of the penultimate unit of the extra league table.
“It was essential for us to find a strong personality for this position who would be able to take full responsibility for the sports section, which we have not always succeeded in doing in the past. We believe that this will put an end to the discussions about who is responsible for the club’s sports functioning . But the sports manager will understandably have a financial framework within which it is necessary to move,” Bednařík declared.
He added that for the next season, the South Bohemians are counting on an increase in the club budget thanks to the new general partner. “This could understandably make Jirko’s job easier,” said Bednařík.
