Šmicer takes manager role with Czech national team

Former Czech Republic international Vladimír Šmicer will work alongside national team head coach Michal Bílek as manager having ended his playing career on Monday, the Czech Football Association said in a statement. The Slavia Prague midfielder, who retired on Monday after struggling with injuries, will handle the business side of the team but work closely with Bílek, who took the top job last month after the Czechs failed to reach next year's World Cup.

Šmicer was one of the most successful players for club and country winning the Champions League and UEFA Cup with Liverpool, domestic titles with Slavia and Lens and was a member of the Czech team that was runner up in the 1996 European Championships.