Brückner to carry on with Czechs

Karel Brückner will lead the Czech Republic in their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign after agreeing a two-year contract extension today.

EURO ambition
The 66-year-old Brückner, who replaced Jozef Chovanec in December 2001, will therefore attempt to guide the Czechs to their third successive major championship having previously taken them to the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2004™ and this year's FIFA World Cup finals. Despite opening with an impressive 3-0 victory against the United States, the Czechs failed to progress beyond the first round in Germany after defeats by Ghana and Italy ensured they finished behind both in Group E.

Sigma success
Brückner began his coaching career in his home city of Olomouc, steering SK Sigma Olomouc to the top flight of what was then Czechoslovakia. The club then reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals under his control in 1991/92 before losing to Spanish giants Real Madrid CF. Brückner, who still lives in Olomouc, has worked for the Football Association of the Czech Republic since 1997, initially taking charge of the Under-21 side whom he led to the final of their UEFA European Championship in 2000.

Coaching changes
Under Brückner's guidance the Czech Republic's senior team have played 53 games, winning 37 and losing just nine. His next assignment will be a friendly against Serbia on 16 August, which is likely to be held in Olomouc. Although the coach has agreed to stay on, there will be changes to his staff, with Brückner yet to confirm the exact details of the new lineup.