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Luboš Kubík

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Luboš Kubík
Personal information
Date of birth (1964-01-20) 20 January 1964 (age 60)
Place of birth Vysoké Mýto, Czechoslovakia
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder, libero
Youth career
1972–1979 Spartak Choceň
1979–1982 Spartak Hradec Králové
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1982 Spartak Hradec Králové 28 (2)
1982–1988 TJ Slavia Praha IPS 133 (33)
1989–1991 Fiorentina 50 (8)
1991–1993 Metz 70 (14)
1993–1995 1. FC Nürnberg 40 (5)
1995–1996 FK Drnovice 14 (2)
1996–1997 Slavia Prague 14 (1)
1997–1998 Lázně Bohdaneč 2 (0)
1998–2000 Chicago Fire 71 (15)
2001 Dallas Burn 11 (1)
Total 414 (80)
International career
1985–1993[1] Czechoslovakia 39 (10)
1994–1997[1] Czech Republic 17 (3)
Managerial career
FC Hradec Králové
2006 Śląsk Wrocław
2006–2007 Torquay United
2007 SK Týniště nad Orlicí
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Czech Republic
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up 1996 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Luboš Kubík (born 20 January 1964) is a Czech former professional footballer and former manager of Torquay United. He played libero for the Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic national teams, earning 56 caps with 13 goals in total,[2] and some clubs.

Early and personal life

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Kubík was born on 20 January 1964 in Vysoké Mýto, Pardubice Region.[3] He attended Prague University of Economics and Business but did not finish it.[4] As a result of his football career, Kubík speaks English and Italian apart from his native Czech – along with some Polish, German, and French.[4] He has a good understanding in Russian, which he learned in school, but has since forgotten how to speak it.[4] After retiring from professional football, Kubík worked with Masaryk Primary School in Dolní Roveň and TJ Sokol Roveň, when a project was implemented to train young football players under the banner of Luboš Kubík Rural Football School in Dolní Roveň.[5] Kubík's son, also named Luboš, is founder of USA Sport & Study organization where he leads the soccer division and helps young Czech soccer players to follow his footsteps overseas until American universities.[6]

Club career

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European football

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Kubík began his career in 1981 with Hradec Králové before moving to Slavia Prague the following year.[3] In 1988, he and compatriot Ivo Knoflíček fled to England from a training camp in West Germany.[7] In January 1989, they attempted to sign for Derby County as free agents, and were presented as new signings by the club's then-owner, the Czechoslovak-born Robert Maxwell, during a match against Southampton.[7] However, both footballers were still under contract with Slavia Prague, who refused to allow them to transfer.[7]

Upon the expiry of his FIFA disqualification, Kubík signed for Italian club ACF Fiorentina in April 1989 for approximately 600 million lire.[8] Wanting to obtain the required transfer to play in Italy, he came to an agreement with the Czechoslovak Football Federation to fulfil his military service obligations in his homeland first.[9] With Fiorentina, Kubík scored three goals in 26 league matches and participated at the 1989–90 UEFA Cup, where the club lost to Juventus in the final.[10]

Kubík moved to Ligue 1 club FC Metz in 1991 before transferring to Bundesliga team 1. FC Nürnberg in 1993,[11] Returning to the Czech Republic, he played for Drnovice FK, SK Slavia Prague, and AFK Lázně Bohdaneč.[12]

MLS and retirement

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Kubík moved to Major League Soccer in 1998, joining the expansion team Chicago Fire.[13] While helping the Fire to win both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in their inaugural year, Kubík was named the MLS Defender of the Year.[14] Kubík continued to be a valuable attacking force from the back in 1999, registering five goals and eight assists, and was named in the MLS Best XI for a second time.[15]

Kubík signed for Dallas Burn during the 2001 off-season in exchange for Sergi Daniv.[16] Kubík's final year was again plagued by injuries, having only played in 11 matches for the club. He retired at the end of the 2001 MLS season and returned to the Czech Republic.[17]

International career

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Kubík debuted for the Czechoslovakia national football team in 1985 against Sweden.[18] He represented Czechoslovakian and Czech Republic national teams, respectively at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and 1996 UEFA European Football Championship.[18] Kubík played his last international game in 1997 against Belarus.[18]

Managerial career

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Kubík was appointed as manager of Polish side Śląsk Wrocław in summer 2006,[19] but was sacked later that October after just 11 league games in charge.[20]

Kubík was appointed coach of the EFL League Two side Torquay United on 27 November 2006 through his close friendship with Torquay chairman Chris Roberts.[21] Despite his impressive playing career, his lack of managerial experience and contacts in England was a problem, not aided by Roberts appointing Richard Hancox as Kubík's assistant. Torquay struggled in the relegation zone with Kubík, winning just twice in 15 matches, thus he left club by mutual consent on 5 February 2007.[22] Roberts also resigned as chairman later that month.[23] The club was relegated at the end of the season, ending a 79-year spell in the Football League First Division.[24]

Kubík was appointed coach of third-tier Czech club SK Týniště nad Orlicí in 2007.[18] His first match in charge was a friendly match against Převýšov, the leading champions of the Hradec Králové Regional League.[25] Later that year, he left the club due to poor performances in the league.[26]

In March 2010, Kubík was appointed assistant coach of the United States men's national soccer team for the FIFA World Cup later that year.[27]

Honours

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Individuals

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lubos Kubik | Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Prošel také Hradcem. Vicemistr Evropy Kubík slaví '50'". Deník (in Czech). Vltave Labe Media. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b Pýcha, Jaromír (25 January 2024). "Podal si ruku s prezidenty i královnou. Fotbalový světoběžník slaví šedesátiny". Deník (in Czech). Vltave Labe Media. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Hrabě, Stanislav (6 January 2024). "Historky o emigraci fotbalové legendy. Utíkal jsem dvakrát, vypráví Kubík". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech). Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  5. ^ Pýcha, Jaromír (11 March 2024). "Luboš Kubík je legenda. Výborný fotbalista, ale i super chlap". Deník (in Czech). Vltave Labe Media. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  6. ^ Svoboda, Tomáš (7 July 2022). "Česká stopa v MLS! Syn slavného otce místo gólů nakonec sázel skvělé marketingové nápady". Ruik.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Maxwell's "Madcap" scheme to bring Czech duo to Baseball Ground". Derby Telegraph. Trinity Mirror. 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Galli Firma Un Anno Per Il Milano Kubík Alla Fiorentina". La Repubblica (in Italian). GEDI Gruppo Editoriale. 28 April 1989. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Kubík a Praga per il Servizio Militare". La Repubblica (in Italian). GEDI Gruppo Editoriale. 2 April 1989. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  10. ^ Vella, Cristiano (21 January 2022). "Ti ricordi... Luboš Kubík, oggi compie 58 anni il corazziere viola dal sinistro fatato scappato dal suo Paese per giocare a calcio". Il Fatto Quotadiano (in Italian). Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  11. ^ "Luboš Kubík šedesátníkem! Slávista a světoběžník. A jak jsem se s ním potkal ve Francii". medium.seznam.cz (in Czech). 16 January 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  12. ^ Pavlis, Zdeněk (6 January 2024). "Před emigrací složil zkoušku z marxismu, v Bílém domě si Kubík podal ruku hned se třemi americkými prezidenty". Sport.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Fire Signs Defender Kubík". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing Company. 21 February 1998. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Kubík Sweeps Up Award as MLS Defender of the Year". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing Company. 20 October 1998. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  15. ^ Kulhánek, Tomáš (28 April 2023). "Díky úspěšné kariéře jsem potkal tři americké prezidenty, vypráví Luboš Kubík". salonkyhk.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Fire deals Kubik to Dallas". UPI.com. 4 January 2001. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Luboš Kubík končí s kariérou" [Luboš Kubík ends his career]. Sme (in Slovak). Petit Press. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d "Divizní Týniště povede Luboš Kubík" [Divisional Týniště will be led by Luboš Kubík]. Deník (in Czech). Vltave Labe Media. 11 April 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  19. ^ Karpiński, Michał (8 July 2006). "Nie pracuję dla pieniędzy". Wrocław Naszemiasto (in Polish). Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Kubík nieszczęść". Onet.pl (in Polish). 3 October 2006. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  21. ^ "Czech star Kubík named Gulls boss". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 November 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  22. ^ "Lee given Torquay caretaker role". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  23. ^ "Torquay chairman Roberts resigns". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 February 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  24. ^ "Torquay lose Football League spot". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  25. ^ "Kubíkova premiéra na týnišťské lavičce" [Kubík's premiere on the Týnišť bench]. Deník (in Czech). Vltave Labe Media. 16 April 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Luboš Kubík v Týništi končí" [Luboš Kubík ends in Týniště]. Deník (in Czech). Vltave Labe Media. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  27. ^ Willoughby, Ian (3 March 2010). "Former Czech international Kubík hired as assistant coach by USA". Radio Prague International. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  28. ^ "1998 MLS All-Star Game". Major League Soccer. 2 August 1998. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  29. ^ "1999 MLS All-Star Game". Major League Soccer. 17 July 1999. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
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