Brian Priske Sparta Prague coaching future, Digi Mart USA News: Brian Priske and Sparta Prague have not enjoyed a strong season following a major squad overhaul over the summer. Recently the club has dropped several points in the league and been knocked out of the Czech cup.
The traditional club currently sits in fifth place in the Czech league, a position that is not being viewed lightly. Ahead of Sunday’s match against Viktoria Plzen, currently ranked 10th, the Danish outlet iSport asked four experts whether Priske’s job would be in danger if Sparta lost.
David Kobylík, a coach who won the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with the Czech Republic, said he would simply fire Priske after a defeat to Plzen. He pointed to large swings in results and performances, and said Sparta is not meeting the goals set before the season.
“The patience of the fans does not last forever,” he said, adding that while many people at the club are closely tied to Priske, leadership should still look for a successor or explore other options.
Another expert did not believe Sparta Prague would change its coaching position before the winter break at the earliest, while a third noted that international breaks are always dangerous.
Former midfielder Jakub Podaný, however, pointed out that Priske’s team is performing well on the underlying metrics. “If you look at the statistics, which I think are both important and interesting, Sparta is not completely down when it comes to the play.
In many ways the coach is doing well. But what can the coach do when the players cannot even hit the target from a meter away?” he said.
Earlier in the season, Priske was reportedly in line to receive a dismissal notice after disappointing results at the start of the campaign. Sporting director Tomas Rosicky admitted as much to the club’s own channels.
Speaking to Tipsbladet, the Danish coach said he accepts the pressure that comes with the job.
“It’s football. That’s how I see it, and I live fine with the premise and the pressure that is on us coaches.
It’s clear that when you are at a top club like Sparta Prague, and you lose four of your first seven league games, it is entirely logical that the head coach’s position is reviewed at a board meeting,” Priske said. He added that a coach can be dismissed at almost any time, which people are entitled to do, and that he has a good working relationship with Rosicky, the owner and the board.
Priske is in his second spell at Sparta Prague, where he has been one of the club’s most successful coaches, winning two league championships and a cup title during his time there.
