Sydney FC and coach Vitezslav Lavicka have mutually agreed that his contract as Sydney FC Head Coach will not be extended beyond the end of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season.
Sydney FC and coach Vitezslav Lavicka have mutually agreed that his contract as Sydney FC Head Coach will not be extended beyond the end of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season.
Lavicka will continue to coach Sydney FC for the rest of the season, starting with Sunday-s match against the Newcastle Jets at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The decision was reached at a meeting between Lavicka and Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton earlier this week, which was part of the timetable for Sydney FC and Lavicka to determine the best way forward for all parties with the Czech Republic coach-s contract due to expire at the end of this season.
Leading into the meeting, the Sydney FC Board met on 25 January and Lavicka was respectfully given time to contemplate whether he wanted to continue with the Sky Blues while apart from his wife and two daughters, who have been living in Prague for the past 12 months.
At the meeting both Sydney FC and Lavicka agreed now was the right time to change direction.
“The Sydney FC Board has decided not to renew the contract of Vitezslav Lavicka beyond the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season,” said Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton. “At the same time, Vitezslav decided he wants to return home to be with his family and continue his career in Europe.”
Lavicka joined Sydney FC at the beginning of the 2009/10 season, securing the Premiership and claiming a Grand Final victory in his first season in charge of the Sky Blues.
“I have enjoyed my time at Sydney FC and I want to continue to do my best and work hard with the players and staff at Sydney FC to be as successful as possible this season,” Lavicka said. “But for next year I am living too far away from my family and they are very important.
“Since I came to Sydney I have been lucky to meet many good people, work with professional people – staff and players – and we managed to achieve great success in the first year. I will always have good memories of my time in Sydney, especially the Sydney FC Members and fans.”
As a gesture to honour the contribution Lavicka has made to Sydney FC, both through the 2009/10 Premiership – Championship double and by the way he has carried himself, the annual Sydney FC Clubman of the Year Award will be named in his honour
“Vitezslav as a man is beyond reproach,” Melton said. “He is driven by values that make him a tremendous role model. He has incredible integrity, humility and honour and his warm smile, welcoming handshake and positive outlook have set a standard for everyone at the Club.”
“History will look favourably on his contribution to the Football Club as the man who delivered our first double but it is also fitting that he should become part of Sydney FC history and heritage through the Clubman of the Year Award.
“We would like to wish Vitezslav and his family the best of luck for the future.”
Sydney FC faces Newcastle Jets at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday. Kick off is 5pm.
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