Vrba confirmed as new national soccer manager

The Czech Football Association has confirmed Pavel Vrba as manager of the national team. Vrba, who has helmed club Viktoria Plzeň to considerable success, will take over on January 1 under a four-year contract with a two-year option. The 49-year-old’s first game in charge of the Czech Republic will be a friendly against Norway in early March. Vrba’s predecessor Michal Bílek failed to lead the country to next year’s World Cup and was criticised for a dull playing style.