Šmicer stunned by Jurásek's move from Slavia to Sparta: "You just don't do that"

Former Czech national team player and 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool Vladimír Šmicer didn't hold back in the latest episode of his podcast, sharply criticising midfielder Jurásek's move from Slavia to arch-rivals Sparta. Šmicer said he once experienced firsthand just how deep the hostility runs between the two clubs' fans, and admitted he can't understand what possessed Jurásek to make such a move.

"Years ago I once put on a Sparta jersey for a friendly ice hockey match, and people still bring it up to this day. I got what I deserved for that. Knowing what Jurásek used to do, and now seeing him join Sparta... that takes real nerve, real audacity," Šmicer admitted.

A scandalous past at Slavia

It's worth recalling that during his time at Slavia, Jurásek once stood in front of the "Sever" fan stand after a match wearing a mask and holding a flare, chanting along with supporters—including anti-Sparta slogans. And when he said goodbye to Eden in January 2025, he captioned his farewell Instagram post with the offensive phrase "Death to Sparta."

After making his Sparta debut in Saturday's match against Teplice, Jurásek publicly apologised to the club's fan section. Still, according to Šmicer, many supporters will never forgive him for the switch. "The moment his transfer was announced, I immediately feared for what awaits this guy. I'm worried for him. He's chosen the hardest possible path there is," Šmicer said.

Viktoria Plzeň's troubles and coach Hyský's fate

In the same podcast episode, Šmicer also took a close look at the crisis surrounding Viktoria Plzeň and the difficult position of head coach Martin Hyský. After four rounds of the Czech league, the team has picked up just 4 points—despite three of those matches being played at home—with results and performances falling well short of expectations.

According to Šmicer, the coach's future will be decided by the upcoming Europa League play-off clash against Crvena zvezda of Belgrade. "If Plzeň can't get past this test, it will be extremely hard for Martin to keep his job," the pundit believes.

Will Schick and Černý return to the national team?

Šmicer also weighed in on media speculation that the Czech national team's new head coach, Santi Denia, might try to bring forward Patrik Schick and winger Václav Černý back into the squad. "He'll reach out to them, he'll try. I think both of these guys still have something to offer the national team. On the other hand, they announced their international retirement just a month and a half ago, so if they reverse that decision so quickly, it would look a bit odd," Šmicer noted.

Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz