West Ham United: Czech Republic boss Ivan Hasek speaks out after Vladimir Coufal snub
Ivan Hasek has revealed that it was a “tough decision” to leave West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal and some of his international colleagues out for the upcoming international fixtures.
Speaking after announcing his squad on Friday (15 March, via New Straits Times), the Czech Republic boss said it was most beneficial for the team that the 31-year-old right-back be left out alongside Jakub Brabec and Jan Kutcha after the trio were caught partying in the most recent international break.
But he insisted that the door isn’t closed to any of them for the European Championships this summer and that none of the players have “taken offence” following his decision to omit them from the squad.
“Of course, it was a tough decision,” said Hasek. “It will be most beneficial for the team if the players are left out for now.
“Of course, this doesn’t close the door to Euro for any one of them. The guys know it’s good for the team, none of them has taken offence.”
Vladimir Coufal omission could benefit West Ham
It doesn’t come as a massive surprise to hear that Coufal has been omitted from the latest Czech Republic team after his misdemeanour during the last international break in November.
That caused plenty of uproar back in his country and saw the defender – alongside the other two partygoers – all sent home early from the squad.
They will have been hoping that wouldn’t go against them for the upcoming fixtures given that Hasek only took over in January, but he clearly feels they need some more time away from the team.
Coufal’s omission could potentially benefit the Hammers as it means he’ll be fully fit coming out of the international break after going a couple of weeks without playing.
It could also encourage the right-back to give his absolute all over the next few months for us and prove a point that he should be included in the Czech squad for the European Championships.
In other West Ham news, sources have claimed a Premier League manager is now in the frame to replace Moyes.
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