Ivan Hasek speaks to the media after his unveiling as the head coach of the Czech Republic men's national football team in Prague, Czech Republic, January 4, 2024. /Football Association of the Czech Republic
It was in January earlier this year that Ivan Hasek was handed over the reins of the Czech men's national football team, just a few months before the UEFA European Championship.
Despite their quarterfinal run at the previous edition of the continental showpiece event in 2021, the Czech Republic failed to impress in the subsequent couple of years, missing out on qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, struggling in the UEFA Nations League and only just making the cut for the European Championship after some laborious performances.
All these eventually led to Hasek being entrusted with the responsibility of improving the team's fortunes on the field.
Grouped alongside Portugal, Georgia and Türkiye, Hasek elaborated on his side's preparations and objectives for the tournament in an interview with CGTN.
"Portugal is one of the favorites of the tournament. Türkiye is on the rise, and Georgia knocked out Greece, so they have a lot of quality, without a doubt. We go into every match to win it," Hasek said of his group stage opponents.
Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen looks on during the DFB Pokal semifinal match against Fortuna Düsseldorf at BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany, April 3, 2024. /CFP
"Our main goal is to qualify from the group," he said when asked about his ambitions at the tournament.
A good piece of news for the 60-year-old Hasek is the form of star forward Patrik Schick, 28, who returned from a long-term injury in the middle of the last season and played an important part in Bayer Leverkusen's domestic double of the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal titles.
"Patrik is very important for the national team. Not only on the field but also in the locker room. Also, his position at Leverkusen speaks for him," Hasek noted.
Asked about the areas where he would like his team to improve, Hasek pointed out that he has only had one international window – in March – to work with his team.
"First of all, the players will have to play with each other more. We've only had one meeting so far, and that's not enough time," he said.
A group photo featuring the playing squad and the coaching staff of the Czech Republic men's national football team during a training camp in Schladming, Austria, June 6, 2024. /Football Association of the Czech Republic
"We hope to fine-tune everything during the pre-Euro camp. Everything can always be better."
Hasek, the captain of the Czechoslovak team that reached the quarterfinals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, previously coached the Czech national team briefly in 2009.
He said he is hopeful about the future direction of Czech football. "Czech football is going in the right direction. Our clubs in Europe prove it. In the spring, we had three clubs in the cups, and we also have a record coefficient now," he said.
"I also see an increasing culture here, where the stadiums are sold out and people are having fun. But I do feel the need to build a big stadium for international games. But hopefully, it will move in the right direction soon."