Czechia’s national team has a new head coach. Santi Denia takes over from Miroslav Koubek, who resigned after the World Cup in the USA and Mexico, where Czechia finished with just one point from a draw with South Africa. League standing: 4th in World Cup, 1 pts, 0W-1D-2L from 3 games, recent form LDL.
Why was Denia chosen?
The Czech FA sought a foreign coach with international experience from the start. Denia, a former Olympian and successful Spain youth coach, fits the profile perfectly. “I believe in your project and want to push Czech football forward,” Denia stated. He has a long-standing collaboration with Luis de la Fuente, who recently led Spain to World Cup glory.
How did the negotiations unfold?
Originally, the decision was expected on August 11, but the process accelerated. “We had detailed and open discussions with Denia. He’s a great choice for Czech football,” confirmed FAČR president David Trunda. A recommendation also came from Tomáš Ujfaluši, who played under Denia at Atlético Madrid.
What’s next for Denia?
Denia’s first competitive match in charge is on September 26, when Czechia hosts Croatia in the Nations League. Next fixture: vs Croatia (at home, 2026-09-26). “I want to earn the fans’ trust and show we can play modern football,” Denia promised.
