Slavia Prague is implementing a new leadership structure within its football club, signaling a broader trend of specialization in professional sports management. Effective promptly, the Czech Republic’s leading club has appointed both a Sporting director and a Sportingly-Technical Director, roles intended to streamline operations and bolster the club’s competitive edge. The changes follow the recent departure of Sporting Director Bilek, who has accepted a position with Pardubice, and reflect Slavia Prague’s commitment to long-term stability and modernized management practices.
Slavia Prague, a leading Czech football club, has announced a restructuring of its sporting leadership, designed to enhance the organization’s ability to navigate the increasing complexities of modern professional soccer. The move, effective immediately, involves the appointment of two key figures to oversee the club’s athletic operations.
Kovář will serve as the club’s new Sporting Director, while Mareš will assume the role of Sportingly-Technical Director. This dual leadership structure is intended to provide a more focused and efficient approach to player recruitment, development, and overall sporting strategy.
Jaroslav Tvrdík, the head of Slavia Prague, emphasized the importance of continuity and professionalism in the decision. “They have been part of Slavia for many years, both have concrete results behind them, a deep knowledge of the club environment and at the same time international reach,” Tvrdík stated on the club’s website. “We see the new setup as a logical step that strengthens the club’s continuity, professionalism and preparedness for the challenges that contemporary football brings.”
The restructuring follows the departure of the previous Sporting Director, Bilek, who will be taking on a similar position with Pardubice.
According to Tvrdík, the new model reflects a shift towards a team-based approach to leadership. “Today, it’s not about one function or one name, but about a team of people with clearly defined responsibilities who collectively bear responsibility for the club’s sporting direction,” he explained.
Martin Říha, First Vice-Chairman of Slavia, added that the club drew inspiration from successful models employed by larger international clubs. “We have been moving towards a similar model for some time, also with regard to the experience gained at similarly large or larger foreign clubs,” Říha noted. “The club is at a stage of development where dividing roles between the sporting and sportingly-technical sections is considered the right answer to the growing complexity of club management.”
Kovář previously played for Slavia Prague before transitioning to a role within the club’s administrative structure, steadily rising through the ranks. He will be responsible for the day-to-day sporting operations, bridging the gap between the first team and the reserve squad, and will collaborate with Říha on player contract negotiations.
Mareš joined Slavia in December 2021 as an analyst and most recently served as the Director for Football Strategy. In his elevated position as Sportingly-Technical Director, he will oversee departments focused on data analytics, video analysis, scouting, and talent development.
This restructuring highlights a growing trend in professional sports organizations towards specialized leadership roles, aiming to optimize performance and maintain a competitive edge. The changes at Slavia Prague reflect a commitment to modernizing its management structure and ensuring long-term success.
