Twenty-six-year-old Krejčí emerged as a frontrunner for the captaincy after the FAČR’s executive committee decided to strip Tomáš Souček of the armband following the team’s conduct in their recent qualifying match against Gibraltar. The players declined to acknowledge fan support after the game and Souček, along with Vladimír Coufal, attempted to address the situation with supporters, ultimately leading to this decision.
Krejčí is a natural leader, having already proven his captaincy skills at Sparta Prague. Now, he’s set to lead the national team, and according to head coach Miroslav Koubek, this isn’t intended as a temporary appointment. Koubek had been hesitant to confirm details last week, but admitted the decision had been made and the player informed.
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The national team confirmed Krejčí’s modern role on social media Monday evening. “Will it be for a long time? Probably yes. Changing the captain after two matches like socks, that doesn’t happen,” Koubek stated last week.
“I have a complete understanding of the situation within the team. You can feel how the team functions and who the natural leaders are, and how they approach things. The decision was relatively simple and clear for me,” added national team general manager Pavel Nedvěd.
Krejčí moved to Girona in Spain after his time at Sparta, and then joined Wolverhampton in England last summer. He has become a key player for his club, though Wolverhampton currently sits at the bottom of the Premier League table and is facing relegation to the Championship.
Now, Krejčí faces a different challenge: leading the national team to the World Cup for the first time in twenty years. The Czechs play Ireland on Thursday, and a victory would witness them face the winner of the Denmark-North Macedonia match.
The Czech Republic national team has a new captain. Jan Krejčí has been named to lead the squad, following a controversial decision to remove the armband from Tomáš Souček after the team’s recent qualifying match.
The move comes after players opted not to engage with supporters following their victory over Gibraltar, with Souček and Vladimír Coufal later attempting to explain the situation to fans. The incident prompted the FAČR’s executive committee to grab action, ultimately leading to Souček being relieved of his captaincy.
Krejčí, who previously captained Sparta Prague, is seen as a natural leader. Head coach Miroslav Koubek indicated that this appointment is not a short-term solution, stating last week, “Will it be for a long time? Probably yes. Changing the captain after two matches like socks, that doesn’t happen.”
National team general manager Pavel Nedvěd emphasized the clarity of the decision, saying, “I have a complete understanding of the situation within the team. You can feel how the team functions and who the natural leaders are, and how they approach things. The decision was relatively simple and clear for me.”
Currently playing for Wolverhampton in the Premier League – a team battling relegation – Krejčí now turns his focus to international duty. The Czech Republic faces a crucial match against Ireland on Thursday, with a potential path to the World Cup opening up for the first time in two decades. A win would advance them to a matchup against the winner of Denmark and North Macedonia.
The appointment of Krejčí signals a new chapter for the Czech national team as they pursue qualification for a major international tournament.
