Michal Bilek appointed Czech Republic's coach until Euro 2012

Oct 20, 2009, 14:44 GMT

   Prague - Michal Bilek was on Tuesday picked as new Czech Republic football coach after a failed effort to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Bilek was named by the leadership of the Czech Republic's Football Association with with the task of leading the team to Euro 2012, said outgoing coach and association's chief Ivan Hasek.

   Bilek, 44, was an assistant coach to Hasek, who took the team over for the last three World Cup qualifiers with Slovakia, Poland and Northern Ireland.

   Under Hasek's emergency coaching, the team placed third in its group behind Slovakia and Slovenia, missing direct qualification and a playoff berth as well.

   Bilek is the team's fourth coach since its long-time successful head, Karel Brueckner, retired after Euro 2008.

   In his coaching career, Bilek worked with MFK Ruzomberok, Sparta Prague, CS Cartagines and the Czech Republic's under-19 national team. He won 35 caps as a player, scoring 11 goals.