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West Ham United defender Vladimir Coufal reputation in Czech Republic camp at 'rock bottom'
West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal is a “hypocritical” player whose reputation is now “at rock bottom” after his actions on Czech Republic duty, according to journalist Radek Sprynar.
The editor of Czech outlet iSport took aim at Coufal following the decision of head coach Jaroslav Silhavy – who has since resigned – to send the defender back to West Ham.
Jakub Brabec and Jan Kuchta were also booted out of the national team camp ahead of Monday’s (20 November) meeting with Moldova, which resulted in a 3-0 win, for breaching rules by visiting a nightclub at the weekend.
Writing for iSport [20 November], Sprynar said: “[Coufal] stabbed the coach, whom he says he respects so cruelly, in the back. His reputation is at rock bottom.
“The height of hypocrisy of one of the most important figures of the current team only proves how deeply unsatisfactory the regime is in the national team.
“It is probably clear to everyone that the era of Jaroslav Silhavy ends with a highly embarrassing case. One would like to say that he is not to blame, but that would be as hypocritical as Coufal’s actions.
“The trip of a trio of players to a disco party only proves the looseness of order. And that’s the head coach’s fault.
“The defender from West Ham takes on the role of boss in the national team. On the battlefield he knows how to yell at his teammates for mistakes, and then downplays his own.”
Work to do
There is no denying that Coufal is in the wrong, but these comments do seem a little over the top on the face of it.
That said, there has seemingly been plenty of tension behind the scenes in the Czech camp for a while now, so this is clearly just the tip of the iceberg.
It may well be that Coufal is the fall guy, and he will no doubt just be grateful to now be back at Rush Green as West Ham prepare for Saturday’s (25 November) meeting with Burnley.
Silhavy’s resignation will likely mean that there is no long-term damage for Coufal beyond this international window, and that he will be back in the fold come the Euro 2024 finals.
However, the 31-year-old clearly has a lot to do to win over supporters and the local press if this column by a clearly upset Sprynar is anything to go by.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has shared an update on United’s reported pursuit of Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy.