According to reports from October 2025, FC Viktoria Plzeň manager Martin Hyský was dismissed following a 3–0 defeat in the Europa League play-offs against Red Star Belgrade. Club general manager and chairman of the board Adolf Šádek announced the decision, citing a playing style and overall team trajectory that failed to meet the club’s ambitions.
Adolf Šádek and Ownership Dynamics in the Managerial Change
According to club disclosures, the dismissal exposed a deep division between Plzeň traditionalists and incoming staff members. Šádek stated that the poor start to the season necessitated a change, noting that the team’s on-field performance did not align with club goals. Insiders reported that Šádek would have removed Hyský earlier, but the manager retained support from majority owner Michal Strnad and representatives of the club’s top management.
The internal split was further evidenced by the departure of Hyský’s close staff members—including assistant Radim Grussmann, goalkeeping coach Václav Winter, and fitness coaches Petr Hejný and Tomáš Pupkay—while club legends Marek Bakoš, Matúš Kozáčik, and Zdeněk Bečka retained their positions within the technical setup.
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Radoslav Kováč Takes Over as Head Coach
Following a search involving candidates such as former Sigma Olomouc coach Tomáš Janotka, Viktoria Plzeň appointed Radoslav Kováč. Šádek explained that the club expects Kováč to immediately inject new energy into the squad and restore a winning momentum.
Kováč arrives after a spell with Slovan Liberec, where club owner Ondřej Kania terminated his contract. Historical data shows defensive frailties across Kováč’s managerial career: his teams averaged 1.16 goals conceded per match at Liberec and 1.45 at Pardubice, figures that surpass the defensive averages Plzeň requires to compete for domestic and European titles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Martin Hyský dismissed by Viktoria Plzeň?
According to Adolf Šádek, Hyský was let go because the team’s playing style and overall trajectory during the start of the season did not match the ambitions of the club, culminating in a 3–0 defeat against Red Star Belgrade.
Who replaced Martin Hyský as manager?
Radoslav Kováč took over the managerial role after the club evaluated candidates on the market, including Tomáš Janotka.
Which members of the coaching staff remained at the club?
Plzeň club legends Marek Bakoš, Matúš Kozáčik, and Zdeněk Bečka kept their positions within the technical and analytical staff.
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