BRATISLAVA. In October last year, Ružomberok introduced Ondřej Smetana as a new coach.
In the photo that the Slovak football club published on social networks, he looked as if he was there for punishment. He was sitting behind the desk in a chair, his hands on his thighs and a stony expression on his face.
Club trophies were placed behind him. Those dating back to the 2005/2006 season, when Ružomberok won a valuable double, shined the most. He won the Slovak league and the cup.
When Smetana came to Liptov, no one even expected that another trophy would be added to the room in a few months. The people of Ružomberok became the winners of the Slovnaft Cup, thereby guaranteeing a place in the preliminary rounds of the European League.
In them, they were separated by a goal from advancing to the prestigious competition. They could measure their strength against London’s Chelsea or Austria’s Rapid Vienna, who are opponents of FC Noah, the team that eliminated Ružomberok.
Ondřej Smetana’s time on the bench of the team from Liptov is at an end. Wednesday’s cup match with Komárno will be his last in Ružomberok.
Next Saturday (November 23), he will lead Slovácko in the highest Czech competition in a duel with Mlada Boleslava. He will replace the sacked Roman West as head coach.
VIDEO: The latest episode of the Let’s talk about the league podcast
Slovácko, this change did not come cheap, Ružomberok will earn it. “According to my information, they should have paid 100,000 euros for him,” declared Marek Arpáš, moderator and commentator of the Nike League on the Voyo platform, in the Let’s talk about the league podcast.
This is an exit clause that was part of the contract since it was signed in October 2023. Smetana will join the Czech league on the second day after the cup duel with Komárno, i.e. on Thursday. “He had offers from other countries as well,” added Arpáš.
Another Niký league commentator, Andrej Zvolenský, praises the Slovak club’s successful plan: “It was getting dark over coach Smetan, but they kept him because they knew they could get money for him. Good step from Ružomberok, hats off,” he noted.
During his coaching career, Smetana managed Odra Petřkovice, Vítkovice, Baník Ostrava, first the reserve team and then the A-team, Vysočina Jihlava, and lastly, before Ružomberok, third-league Hlučín.
As a player, he once worked for Slovan Bratislava under the leadership of Vladimír Weiss in the second half of the 2011/2012 season, when he came to the capital on loan from Belgian Sint-Truidense VV.
“I praise Ondra very much. He did an excellent job with Ružomberok for a year,” Weiss praised his former charge during this season after a mutual duel.
Ružomberok will be taken over by another Czech, namely 50-year-old Radim Kučera, former coach of Znojmo, Baník Ostrava, Jihlava and Teplice, who has been the head of Prostějov’s bench since the beginning of this season.
Football Coaching Drama: Ondřej Smetana Takes His Leave!
Well, well, well! It seems Ružomberok is having quite the rollercoaster ride recently, and not just in their match-ups. Last October, they decided to introduce the poker-faced Ondřej Smetana as head coach, looking like he’d just been told to clean the toilets after a particularly rambunctious team dinner. I mean, seriously! You’d think they were sending him to the guillotine based on that picture!
But let me tell you, coaches don’t always look poised in their press photos, do they? He had his hands perched unceremoniously on his thighs, possibly contemplating life’s big questions like, “Why did I agree to this?” or “What’s for dinner?” Meanwhile, behind him, the club’s trophies flashed their bling—pristine from the glory of the 2005/2006 season, when they nabbed a shiny double, winning the Slovak league and the cup. Ah, the good ol’ days!
Fast forward a few months, and guess what? Under Smetana’s reign, Ružomberok snagged the Slovnaft Cup, raking in a chance to strut their stuff in the preliminary rounds of the European League. They flirted with greatness but ultimately fell short—and by just a goal! I mean, one lousy goal away from dancing with the likes of London’s Chelsea or Austria’s Rapid Vienna. Just imagine if they’d made it—talk about a glow-up!
In other news, Smetana’s stint has come to an end—but no, he wasn’t let go for a lack of “fan-fare.” No, that would be too easy! Instead, he’s off to manage Slovácko in the Czech Republic’s top division, because who doesn’t love a bit of cross-border coaching?
However, Ružomberok ain’t letting him waltz off for free. Apparently, Smetana’s exit clause was a staggering 100,000 euros. Talk about a hefty price tag for a coach who looked like he forgot his umbrella in that team photo! The transfer sparks envy amongst clubs everywhere: “If only my coach was worth that much!”
But wait, there’s more! The silver lining for Ružomberok is that the comments are rolling in about their shrewd strategy. Experts like Marek Arpáš are tipping their hats—they might have played the long game with Smetana and now cash in on his exit like they’re trading Pokémon cards. Hats off, indeed! Just be careful; the next coach might not come with a shiny price tag or a stony expression.
And just to fill that hot seat that’s about to be vacated, they’ve turned to 50-year-old Radim Kučera, a man whose managerial CV is as colorful as a box of crayons (or a very well-used potato!). Kučera has bounced around the coaching block, leading teams from Znojmo to Teplice. Let’s hope he brings a bit of flair with him—or at least, a sense of humor!
In conclusion, dear readers, the world of football coaching is as unpredictable as a cat on a hot tin roof. From being introduced under somber vibes to leading Ružomberok to a cup and then handing himself over to another club for a pretty penny, Ondřej Smetana’s coaching saga is just another emblem of the ups and downs in this beautiful game. Who’s next on the chopping block? Only time will tell!
Join the Conversation!
What do you think of this coaching shuffle? Can Ružomberok maintain their momentum with a new boss? Or will they end up playing musical chairs with managers? Share your thoughts!
BRATISLAVA. In October of last year, Ružomberok introduced Ondřej Smetana as their new head coach, marking a significant change in leadership for the Slovak football club.
In a photo shared on the club’s social media channels, Smetana appeared as if he was facing a grueling challenge. He sat behind a desk in a chair, his hands resting firmly on his thighs, and wore a serious expression that hinted at the weight of his responsibilities.
The backdrop featured the club’s trophies, with those from the illustrious 2005/2006 season—when Ružomberok clinched both the Slovak league and the Slovak cup—gleaming prominently, a reminder of the club’s storied past.
Upon his arrival in Liptov, no one anticipated that just months later, another trophy would adorn the club’s cabinet. The team triumphed in the Slovnaft Cup, securing not only a moment of glory but also a coveted spot in the preliminary rounds of the European League.
In the European competition, they fell just short of a spot in the prestigious tournament, separated by a mere goal from advancing. Had they succeeded, they could have tested their skills against renowned clubs such as Chelsea from London or Rapid Vienna from Austria, the latter having eliminated Ružomberok’s contender, FC Noah.
Unfortunately, Ondřej Smetana’s tenure as head coach for Ružomberok is drawing to a close. His final match in charge will be on Wednesday against Komárno in the cup.
Next Saturday (November 23), he will assume the role of head coach for Slovácko in the top Czech league, taking over from the dismissed Roman West in a much-anticipated clash against Mlada Boleslava.
Slovácko’s decision to recruit Smetana comes at a financial cost; according to insights from Marek Arpáš, a moderator and commentator on the Nike League via the Voyo platform, Ružomberok is set to receive a payment of 100,000 euros. This amount represents the exit clause that was stipulated in Smetana’s contract upon his arrival at Ružomberok in October 2023.
As he transitions to the Czech league, Smetana will officially join Slovácko on Thursday, one day after the cup match. “He had offers from other countries as well,” Arpáš noted, highlighting Smetana’s growing reputation.
Another commentator from the Niký league, Andrej Zvolenský, commended Ružomberok’s strategic decision: “Things were looking bleak for coach Smetana, yet they retained his services because they knew a financial opportunity was at hand. A savvy move by Ružomberok; they deserve accolades,” he remarked.
Throughout his coaching career, Smetana has managed several teams, including Odra Petřkovice, Vítkovice, and Baník Ostrava, where he worked with both the reserve and first teams, as well as Vysočina Jihlava and, most recently, Hlučín in the third league before arriving at Ružomberok.
In his playing days, he was previously associated with Slovan Bratislava under the stewardship of Vladimír Weiss during the latter part of the 2011/2012 season, having joined on loan from Belgian club Sint-Truidense VV.
“I praise Ondra very much. He did an excellent job with Ružomberok for a year,” Weiss lauded his former player after a match this season, showcasing Smetana’s positive impact.
Taking over the reins at Ružomberok will be Radim Kučera, a 50-year-old coach who has experience managing several teams, including Znojmo, Baník Ostrava, Jihlava, and Teplice, and who has been in charge of Prostějov since the season began.
Rek Arpáš, a commentator from the Nike League, Ružomberok is set to receive €100,000 due to an exit clause included in Smetana’s contract. This significant fee underscores the value the club places on Smetana, especially after he guided them to a cup victory in a relatively short time.
In addition to his recent success, Smetana’s coaching journey has been diverse, with previous roles at various clubs including Odra Petřkovice and Baník Ostrava. His experience in the field has been acknowledged by many, including former mentor Vladimír Weiss, who praised Smetana’s work during his coaching spell.
As Smetana prepares for his new chapter with Slovácko, Ružomberok looks ahead to Radim Kučera, who will step in as head coach following Smetana’s departure. Kučera, known for his managerial stints across several teams, hopes to continue the positive trajectory established by Smetana.
As the dynamics of football coaching continue to shift, this episode highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, where managers often find themselves in the spotlight, celebrated for their achievements yet also facing the constant pressure to maintain success. It’s a thrilling yet tumultuous journey for coaches like Smetana, and fans can only anticipate what’s next for both him and Ružomberok.
Join the conversation: Do you think Ondřej Smetana will thrive at Slovácko, or is he stepping into an uncertain future? How do you feel about Ružomberok’s new direction? Share your thoughts on the ever-changing landscape of football management!
