Luboš Kubík

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Luboš Kubík (born 20 January 1964) is a former Czech professional footballer who played as a midfielder or defender. He represented the former Czechoslovakia at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and then the Czech Republic in their runners-up-finishing UEFA Euro 1996 campaign.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Aside from his native Czechia, Kubík also played in Italy, France, Germany and most notably the United States, being named in the MLS Best XI twice in 1998 and 1999.

Early and personal life

Kubík was born on 20 January 1964 in Vysoké Mýto, Pardubice Region.<ref name="Deník 2024-01-25">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He attended Prague University of Economics and Business but dropped out.<ref name="Seznam Zprávy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

As a result of his football career, Kubík can speak English and Italian apart from his native Czech, along with some Polish, German, French and Russian.<ref name="Seznam Zprávy"/> After retiring, he has cooperated with local schools in developing young football talent.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kubík's son, Luboš Jr., founded the USA Sport and Study organization, where he leads the soccer division.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Club career

European football

Kubík began his career in 1981 with Hradec Králové before moving to Slavia Prague the following year.<ref name="Deník 2024-01-25"/> In 1988, he and compatriot Ivo Knoflíček fled to England from a training camp in West Germany.<ref name="Derby Telegraph">Template:Cite news</ref> In January 1989, they attempted to sign for Derby County as free agents, and were presented as new signings by the club's then-owner, the Czechoslovak-born Robert Maxwell, during a match against Southampton.<ref name="Derby Telegraph"/> However, both footballers were still under contract with Slavia Prague, who refused to allow them to transfer.<ref name="Derby Telegraph"/>

Upon the expiry of his FIFA disqualification, Kubík signed for Italian club ACF Fiorentina in April 1989 for approximately 600 million lire.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wanting to obtain the required transfer to play in Italy, he came to an agreement with the Czechoslovak Football Federation to fulfil his military service obligations in his homeland first.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> With Fiorentina, Kubík scored three goals in 26 league matches and played in the 1989–90 UEFA Cup, where the club reached the final before losing to Juventus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kubík moved to Ligue 1 club FC Metz in 1991 before transferring to Bundesliga team 1. FC Nürnberg in 1993,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Returning to the Czech Republic, he played for Drnovice FK, SK Slavia Prague, and AFK Lázně Bohdaneč.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

MLS and retirement

Kubík moved to Major League Soccer in 1998, joining the expansion team Chicago Fire.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While helping the Fire to win both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in their inaugural year, Kubík was named the MLS Defender of the Year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kubík continued to be a valuable attacking force from the back in 1999, registering five goals and eight assists, and was named in the MLS Best XI for a second time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Kubík signed for Dallas Burn during the 2001 off-season in exchange for Sergi Daniv.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kubík's final year was again plagued by injuries, having only played in 11 matches for the club. He retired at the end of the 2001 MLS season and returned to the Czech Republic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

International career

Kubík debuted for the Czechoslovakia national football team in 1985 against Sweden.<ref name="Deník 2007-04-11">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He represented Czechoslovakian and Czech Republic national teams, respectively at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and 1996 UEFA European Football Championship.<ref name="Deník 2007-04-11"/> Kubík played his last international game in 1997 against Belarus.<ref name="Deník 2007-04-11"/>

Managerial career

Kubík was appointed as manager of Polish side Śląsk Wrocław in summer 2006,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but was sacked later that October after just 11 league games in charge.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kubík was appointed coach of the EFL League Two side Torquay United on 27 November 2006 through his close friendship with Torquay chairman Chris Roberts.<ref name="Czech star Kubik named Gulls boss">Template:Cite news</ref> Despite his impressive playing career, his lack of managerial experience and contacts in England was a problem, not aided by Roberts appointing Richard Hancox as Kubík's assistant. Torquay struggled in the relegation zone with Kubík, winning just twice in 15 matches, thus he left club by mutual consent on 5 February 2007.<ref name="Lee given Torquay caretaker role">Template:Cite news</ref> Roberts also resigned as chairman later that month.<ref name="Torquay chairman Roberts resigns">Template:Cite news</ref> The club was relegated at the end of the season, ending a 79-year spell in the Football League First Division.<ref name="Torquay lose Football League spot">Template:Cite news</ref>

Kubík was appointed coach of third-tier Czech club SK Týniště nad Orlicí in 2007.<ref name="Deník 2007-04-11"/> His first match in charge was a friendly match against Převýšov, the leading champions of the Hradec Králové Regional League.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Later that year, he left the club due to poor performances in the league.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In March 2010, Kubík was appointed assistant coach of the United States men's national soccer team for the FIFA World Cup later that year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Honours

Individuals

• MLS Defender of the Year Award: 1998
• MLS Best XI: 1998, 1999
• MLS All-Star, 1998,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1999<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• Template:FACR player
• Template:Soccerbase (manager)