Miroslav Koubek has stepped down as Czechia head coach after the World Cup group-stage exit, ending a brief seven-match spell in charge. Czechia returned to the tournament for the first time since 2006, but finished bottom of Group A with one point from three games. The campaign ended with a 3-0 defeat against co-hosts Mexico.

Koubek linked the early elimination to what Koubek described as “stupid mistakes” throughout the group stage, including defensive lapses in the loss at Mexico City Stadium. The 74-year-old also faced criticism for a cautious game plan against Mexico and the choice to leave striker Patrik Schick out of the starting line-up for that decisive match.

Czechia’s World Cup record under Miroslav Koubek featured no victories in Group A, with a return of W0 D1 L2. It was only the second time Czechia collected fewer than two points in a World Cup group campaign. The team’s single point was not enough to avoid an early exit from the tournament.

The Czech coach had taken the job only months earlier, in December, after replacing Ivan Hasek. Hasek departed following a shock 2-1 qualifying defeat to the Faroe Islands. Under Miroslav Koubek, Czechia finished second in Group L and reached the play-offs, where Czechia defeated the Republic of Ireland and Denmark to secure a World Cup place.

Koubek’s overall record as Czechia head coach covered seven fixtures, producing two wins, three draws and two defeats, for a win rate of 28.6%. The former Viktoria Plzen boss therefore leaves after less than a full year in the role, despite having achieved the objective of taking the national team back to the World Cup stage.

Miroslav Koubek Czechia head coach resignation statement

Explaining the resignation, Koubek pointed to pressure around the team and criticism away from the pitch. “A media campaign based on a number of half-truths and fabrications against me also contributed to my decision,” Koubek said. “In this atmosphere, my work for the Czech national team would no longer make sense.”

The decision ends a turbulent chapter for Miroslav Koubek and Czechia, mixing successful qualification with a difficult tournament. Czechia leave the World Cup after three matches, one point and serious scrutiny of tactics and selections. The federation must now appoint a new head coach to guide the national side into the next qualification cycle.