Retired and now boss of the Czech national team. Good luck Vlad!
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2009-11-10-117950009_x.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2009-11-10-117950009_x.htm
Vlad the Head Trainer
- Thread starter gkmacca
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Status
Vlads retires...
Istanbul hero Vladimir Smicer has retired from professional football at the age of 36.
The ex-Czech Republic international has decided to hang up his boots after a spate of injury problems at Slavia Prague.
"I am not able to help Slavia on the field. I can no longer give it 100 percent," he said.
"My head and my heart want me to carry on but my body says no."
Smicer made 184 appearances for the Reds during a six-year spell at Anfield between 1999-2005, scoring 19 goals.
Watch Vladi score in Istanbul>>
An attacking midfielder, Smicer first shot to prominence in 1996, helping Slavia Prague reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and starring for the Czech Republic during their run to the final of Euro 96.
He moved on to French club RC Lens where he enjoyed more success - inspiring the club to a first ever French title in 1997-98.
Smicer arrived at Anfield in 1999 to join his close friend Patrik Berger on Merseyside.
The midfielder played an important role in the Reds' treble-winning triumph of 2001, operating on the flanks or behind the front two.
However, undoubtedly his high-point in a red jersey came in the Champions League final of 2005 in Istanbul - his final Liverpool appearance.
Watch our 100 Players Who Shook The Kop tribute>>
Coming on as a substitute for Harry Kewell against AC Milan, Smicer scored the Reds' second goal as Rafael Benitez's side dramatically came from 3-0 down to level the scoreline at 3-3 in six magnificent second-half minutes.
He also kept his nerve to net Liverpool's deciding penalty in the shoot-out before Jerzy Dudek's historic save from Andriy Shevchenko.
It was sweet reward for Smicer, who had returned to action in February 2005 having missed most of the 2004-05 season after a knee operation.
Having signed off from his Liverpool career in the best possible style, Vladi departed for Bordeaux as a Kop legend.
Does he get legend status... ? I dunno, probably not... Vlads was one of those players who had potential but his career was blighted by injuries... He wore is heart on his sleeve though..
Glad the champions league final was his last showcase for us and he played the way he did.. the lad helped us get back in it.. and helped win us the match on penalties...
Istanbul hero Vladimir Smicer has retired from professional football at the age of 36.
The ex-Czech Republic international has decided to hang up his boots after a spate of injury problems at Slavia Prague.
"I am not able to help Slavia on the field. I can no longer give it 100 percent," he said.
"My head and my heart want me to carry on but my body says no."
Smicer made 184 appearances for the Reds during a six-year spell at Anfield between 1999-2005, scoring 19 goals.
Watch Vladi score in Istanbul>>
An attacking midfielder, Smicer first shot to prominence in 1996, helping Slavia Prague reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and starring for the Czech Republic during their run to the final of Euro 96.
He moved on to French club RC Lens where he enjoyed more success - inspiring the club to a first ever French title in 1997-98.
Smicer arrived at Anfield in 1999 to join his close friend Patrik Berger on Merseyside.
The midfielder played an important role in the Reds' treble-winning triumph of 2001, operating on the flanks or behind the front two.
However, undoubtedly his high-point in a red jersey came in the Champions League final of 2005 in Istanbul - his final Liverpool appearance.
Watch our 100 Players Who Shook The Kop tribute>>
Coming on as a substitute for Harry Kewell against AC Milan, Smicer scored the Reds' second goal as Rafael Benitez's side dramatically came from 3-0 down to level the scoreline at 3-3 in six magnificent second-half minutes.
He also kept his nerve to net Liverpool's deciding penalty in the shoot-out before Jerzy Dudek's historic save from Andriy Shevchenko.
It was sweet reward for Smicer, who had returned to action in February 2005 having missed most of the 2004-05 season after a knee operation.
Having signed off from his Liverpool career in the best possible style, Vladi departed for Bordeaux as a Kop legend.
Does he get legend status... ? I dunno, probably not... Vlads was one of those players who had potential but his career was blighted by injuries... He wore is heart on his sleeve though..
Glad the champions league final was his last showcase for us and he played the way he did.. the lad helped us get back in it.. and helped win us the match on penalties...
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=37082.msg985556#msg985556 date=1257867872]
I know the team's declined but surely some experienced manager would have fancied the job? It seems a big gamble to try an untested ex-player. It's not even as if Vlad's given much impression of being a deep thinker about the game.
[/quote]
If it's anything like the Croatia job, the salary is about £60K a year, and hardly anyone apart from ex-interrnationals for that country could be ased to do it.
I know the team's declined but surely some experienced manager would have fancied the job? It seems a big gamble to try an untested ex-player. It's not even as if Vlad's given much impression of being a deep thinker about the game.
[/quote]
If it's anything like the Croatia job, the salary is about £60K a year, and hardly anyone apart from ex-interrnationals for that country could be ased to do it.
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=37082.msg985563#msg985563 date=1257868621]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=37082.msg985556#msg985556 date=1257867872]
I know the team's declined but surely some experienced manager would have fancied the job? It seems a big gamble to try an untested ex-player. It's not even as if Vlad's given much impression of being a deep thinker about the game.
[/quote]
If it's anything like the Croatia job, the salary is about £60K a year, and hardly anyone apart from ex-interrnationals for that country could be ased to do it.
[/quote]
Plus a whole country awaits qualification for the next Euro as the Czech missed out on next year's World Cup.
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=37082.msg985556#msg985556 date=1257867872]
I know the team's declined but surely some experienced manager would have fancied the job? It seems a big gamble to try an untested ex-player. It's not even as if Vlad's given much impression of being a deep thinker about the game.
[/quote]
If it's anything like the Croatia job, the salary is about £60K a year, and hardly anyone apart from ex-interrnationals for that country could be ased to do it.
[/quote]
Plus a whole country awaits qualification for the next Euro as the Czech missed out on next year's World Cup.
[quote author=Wilko7 link=topic=37082.msg985330#msg985330 date=1257856773]
Vlad had a hard time with injuries and form during his Liverpool career but delivered with interest in his final game for us.
I will always remember him fondly and wish him well in all he does.
[/quote]
Hear hear.
Vlad had a hard time with injuries and form during his Liverpool career but delivered with interest in his final game for us.
I will always remember him fondly and wish him well in all he does.
[/quote]
Hear hear.
[quote author=dmishra link=topic=37082.msg986364#msg986364 date=1257960532]
There seems to be a theme here with ex-Liverpool players. If anyone didn't know, Titi Camara's managing the Guinean national side.
[/quote]
HAHAHA ahhh I remember Titi Camara 😀
Felt so sorry for the lad when his dad passed away, but he did well and scored in the following game and dedicated it to his dad 🙂
There seems to be a theme here with ex-Liverpool players. If anyone didn't know, Titi Camara's managing the Guinean national side.
[/quote]
HAHAHA ahhh I remember Titi Camara 😀
Felt so sorry for the lad when his dad passed away, but he did well and scored in the following game and dedicated it to his dad 🙂
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=37082.msg986395#msg986395 date=1257967041]
I thought he got binned a couple of months back?
[/quote]
Did he now? He was only appointed very recently, in June I think. How bad could he have been to be sacked within two or three months?
Bloody hell, I quite enjoyed some of the moments he provided in a red shirt.
I thought he got binned a couple of months back?
[/quote]
Did he now? He was only appointed very recently, in June I think. How bad could he have been to be sacked within two or three months?
Bloody hell, I quite enjoyed some of the moments he provided in a red shirt.
- Status
