Dane Lars Friis continues as Sparta‘s head coach. Its implementation team and playing staff also remain in the same composition. The flight club said this in a statement on its website. The defending champions unexpectedly lost to Ostrava 1:3 at home on Saturday, losing their fourth of their last five league matches and losing 10 points to leaders Slavia in third place.
After the match with Baník, Friis faced questions about remaining in office at the press conference. The top management of the club has now confirmed that the 48-year-old Dane, who this season led Sparta to the Champions League after 19 years, will not lose his job. In the course of today, in addition, internal interviews took place in the Prague A-team.
Statement #acsparta
— AC Sparta Prague (@ACSparta_CZ) November 3, 2024
The club also commented on the situation surrounding Veljko Birmančević. After the duel with Baník, there were speculations that the Serbian winger was absent from the match nomination due to a rift with the sports manager of the A-team Tomáš Sivok. Friis stated at the press conference that Birmančević was absent due to a groin injury, estimating the length of his absence at four to six weeks.
“One of the basic values of Sparta is also the sharing of true information with fans and the public. Veljko Birmančević is injured and due to this medical indisposition he will not be available to coach Friis in the following matches. The club published this information before the match with Baník Ostrava and did not mislead anyone . It was the injury that caused the player’s absence in the match.” stated the club.
Sparta have two games before the November international break. On Wednesday, he will play Letné in the Champions League against Brest, and on Sunday he will appear in a league match at Mladá Boleslav.