Former football legend David Lafata expressed his continued support for Sparta Prague ahead of their recent match against Jablonec, despite acknowledging the team’s struggles against top competition. In an interview with Seznam Zprávy, Lafata stated that whereas he feels nostalgic about his time with the club, he believes Sparta has difficulty performing well against strong teams.
The 45-year-old former striker, who now works as a football development coach at a sports gymnasium in the Czech Republic, emphasized his role in guiding young athletes aged 15 to 19. He clarified that he prefers to be seen as a trainer focused on athletic growth rather than a traditional teacher, noting that his own academic challenges in subjects like Czech and physics taught him discipline, which he now passes on to his students.
Lafata shared insights into his family’s matchday preferences, mentioning that his son Antonín enjoys the energetic atmosphere in the stadium corners, while his daughter Vanda favors quieter sections but stays informed through social media updates he receives from her. He also reflected on his own matchday experience, saying he appreciates the tactical aspects of the game and enjoys observing team strategies, and formations.
Regarding his post-playing career, Lafata downplayed any notion of being a formal educator, stating that labeling himself as a teacher or pedagogue would not experience appropriate given his background and current work in youth football development. Instead, he described his position as one centered on mentoring players who are motivated to listen and improve through enjoyment of the sport.
The interview took place ahead of a Czech First League match between Sparta and Jablonec, which Sparta lost 1–3. Despite the result, Lafata reaffirmed his allegiance to Sparta, the club where he built his legacy as one of its most celebrated goal scorers.
