Břetislav Červenka, head coach of Czech football club Zlín, delivered an emotional tirade at a press conference following the team's latest disappointing match — a rant the club later posted on its YouTube channel. The outburst came after Zlín's third consecutive home defeat without scoring a single goal.
Starting out calmly as he broke down the game, Červenka lost his composure when he got to the moment his side conceded. "It was a simple three-on-one situation, and instead of pushing forward on the counter, we lose the ball and concede a goal. And just before that, we had our own chance — but when the opportunity to score arrives, the ball flies into the tenth row of the stands. That decision-making is simply depressing," Červenka said, unable to hide his frustration.
According to the coach, it's the attacking players who are to blame for the defence constantly caving under pressure. "They need to give everything in duels! Our forwards have to win the ball in the opponent's half — that way the defence won't be driven crazy by constant pressure. Why isn't that happening? Because up front we're not fighting for the ball, not going into challenges, not picking up second balls. I'm sorry, but that's not how football is played," Červenka stated.
The coach made it clear that underperforming players risk losing their place in the squad. "We'll leave them out of the squad entirely, off the matchday list. They simply won't be there. Why would we need that? I'm not surprised the fans booed the team after the match," he emphasised.
Červenka added that the level of play shown by some of his footballers no longer matches top-flight standards. "Five years ago, that level might have been enough, but not today. The teams around us have moved on and improved significantly," the coach admitted.
Despite the club's difficult situation, Červenka refuses to give up or resign. "This is my team, and I'm responsible for it. I'm critical of myself, but I won't back down. I'll keep believing the next match will go better. I'll keep fighting as long as I'm here. I'll give everything I have, jump around on the touchline like a madman, get angry, shout — but I'll keep fighting. If I could, I'd go out onto the pitch with the lads myself. Unfortunately, that's not possible," the Zlín coach concluded his emotional address.
Source: sport.cz