FC Slovan Liberec

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FC Slovan Liberec (Script error: No such module "IPA".), commonly referred to as Slovan Liberec or simply Slovan, is a Czech professional football club based in the city of Liberec. The club is one of the most successful in the Czech Republic, having won three league titles and the domestic cup since 1993. Glass-making company Preciosa a.s. is the current main sponsor of the club.

History

Early years

The first predecessor of the Liberec football club was the Reichenberger Fussballklub (RFK) which was founded in 1899 (renamed to Reichenberger Sportklub [RSK] in 1904).[1] Because Liberec was a city where the majority of inhabitants were of German nationality, until 1945, it was Germans who first established clubs and played their own league. The first Czech football club, SK Liberec, was established after World War I on 11 May 1919. In 1922, the original German club FK Rapid Ober Rosenthal became the Czech club SK Rapid Horní Růžodol. In the same year, another Liberec-based club – SK Doubí – was established, followed by AFK Stráž bezpečnosti in 1931. On 27 February 1934, SK Liberec took on the new name of Slavia Liberec so that the Czech footballers could affirm their club's Slavic character at a time when the Nazi regime in neighbouring Germany already represented a serious threat to the former Czechoslovakia as well as all of Europe.

The rivalry that once existed in Liberec between Rapid and Slavia can be compared to a smaller version of the rivalry between Prague's two most famous clubs, Sparta and Slavia. In 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed, in which representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany forced Czechoslovakia to withdraw from their border area and surrender it to Germany. After the city of Liberec was incorporated into the Third Reich, Czech football in the city came to a halt for a full seven years.

Post-War era

At the end of World War II and with the liberation of Czechoslovakia in 1945, Liberec took on the character of a Czech city. The first post-war match was played in Turnov on 10 June 1945 by Liberec's football club Slavia. On 15 July 1945, representatives of Czech football clubs from the border areas that had started up again met at the Radnice hotel. The result of the meeting was the verdict that each border-area club continue in the same league that it had played in up until 1938. After seven years of forced inactivity, Slavia Liberec was again included in Class I A and Rapid Horní Růžodol in Class II. In February 1948, the Communists seized power in Czechoslovakia. Under the new name of Kolora, Rapid Liberec, formerly Horní Růžodol, fought its way to be promoted to the Czechoslovak First League. Due to the poor restructuring of Czechoslovak physical education and sports, Kolora remained in the second league – yet an administrative decision placed Slavoj Liberec, originally established as Čechie, in the First League. At the time, Slavoj had only played in the regional league. This reorganization created a lot of bad blood in Liberec. After one season, Slavoj was relegated to the second league. Three years later, Kolora once again fought its way up to be promoted to the First League, but the team could not manage to save themselves from relegation the following season.

Establishment of Slovan

In 1958, the decision was taken to close the Jiskra and Slavoj clubs and merge the two into a single team that would have the potential to win a spot in the First League.[2] Although this plan stirred up very negative reactions among footballers and fans alike and despite the fact that members of Slavoj originally declared that they reject the plan, in the end they changed their minds. As a result, TJ Slovan Liberec was formed on 12 July 1958. With this name, the football club affirmed the Czech character of the club as well as the region where it played. The first competitor the newly created team faced was Spartak Praha Sokolovo, as the famous team Sparta Prague was called at the time. Slovan lost 0–3. Despite all its efforts, for a long time Slovan Liberec was unsuccessful in its fight for a place in the First League. At certain stages of its history, it was even relegated to the regional division or third league.

In the 1970s, Slovan managed to be promoted back to the second league, which at the time included five Bohemian, one Moravian and ten Slovak teams. Due to the vast distances, the footballers from Liberec even had to board planes to play against teams in Bardejov or Michalovce, located in the eastern parts of the country. In 1971, Slovan again failed in its attempt to be promoted to the First League. Following this were two relegations and promotions back to the second league.

Modern times

File:FC Slovan Liberec team, May 2008.jpg
Slovan Liberec starting eleven before the Czech Cup final match against Sparta Prague, May 2008

After overcoming the financial crisis the club found itself in following the 1989 Velvet Revolution, Slovan Liberec finally had the chance to gain promotion to the top league. Following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the six best teams in the second league were elevated to the newly created Czech First League. Slovan ascended to the first league with the formation of the Czech First League in 1993, and has maintained this position ever since. In the 1990s, the club achieved a series of mid-table finishes.

In 2002, under the management of Ladislav Škorpil, Slovan Liberec became the first champions of the Czech Republic outside Prague. As Czech champions, the club entered the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, but lost their first tie to that season's eventual tournament winners Milan (0–1, 2–1). Subsequently, the team finished fourth in the league in 2002–03. Due to a league-wide corruption scandal in the 2004–05 season, the club was penalised with a six-point deduction and finished in fifth position with 46 points. In the 2005–06 season, Slovan won their second league title.

In June 2007, popular coach Vítězslav Lavička resigned amidst problems with club management and disappointment with the team's Champions League qualification loss to Spartak Moscow. Liberec entered the UEFA Cup first round, where they defeated Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade before being eliminated in the group stage. Performances next season under coach Michal Zach would not meet the expectations of the club owners, and Slovan experienced one of the worst seasons in its modern history. Zach's replacement by former coach Ladislav Škorpil failed to remedy the situation, as the club finished sixth in the league. In the same season, the team reached the final of the Czech Cup, but lost in a penalty shootout against Sparta Prague.

The 2008–09 season began with bitter European defeat in the UEFA Cup, as Slovan lost their second qualifying round tie to Slovak club MŠK Žilina. By contrast, the club began their domestic league season with positive results against both of the dominant Prague sides, beating champions Slavia Prague 2–1 and Sparta Prague 3–0. However, a series of poor results against average opposition left the club down in fifth place by the fall. The spring saw Slovan opt for a more offensive approach and brought an improvement in results, with the club winning a derby against local rival Baumit Jablonec and beating an ambitious Mladá Boleslav side by three goals. Croatian striker Andrej Kerić scored 15 goals and became the league's top scorer as the club finished third, qualifying for the newly rebranded UEFA Europa League for the 2009–10 season. In the 2011–12 season, Slovan became league champions for the third time in club history.

On 2 April 2024, businessman Template:Ill bought 75.65 percent of the club from businessman Ludvík Karl and became his new owner. Former football player Jan Nezmar became the new general director [3] and another former player, Theodor Gebre Selassie, became the new sporting director.[4]

Names and crest

File:Slovan Liberec logo.svg
Club crest used until 2024

Since TJ (Tělovýchovná jednota) Slovan Liberec was created in 1958, the club's name has been changed on numerous occasions, reflecting changes in sponsorship. In the 1980s, Slovan Liberec used the name TJ Slovan Elitex (a textile company) Liberec. In 1993, the name FC (Football Club) Slovan Liberec was announced, to be replaced later the same year with FC Slovan WSK Liberec (WSK was an abbreviation for Wimpey Severokámen). Only one year later in 1994, it became FC Slovan WSK Vratislav (Vratislav – a beer brand) Liberec. In 1995, Slovan returned to its former name, FC Slovan Liberec.

The crest represents the colours of Liberec (blue & white) and the mountain Ještěd near Liberec with its famous television tower on top.[5]

Players

Current squad

Template:Updated[6] <templatestyles src="Template:Football squad player/styles.css" /> Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Template:Country data SVK Ivan Krajčírik (on loan from Widzew Łódź)
2 DF Template:Country data CZE Dominik Plechatý
3 DF Template:Country data CZE Jan Mikula
4 DF Template:Country data SVK Martin Rýzek
5 DF Template:Country data CZE Petr Hodouš
6 MF Template:Country data UKR Ivan Varfolomeyev
7 MF Template:Country data NGA Soliu Afolabi
8 MF Template:Country data CZE Marek Icha
9 FW Template:Country data CZE Lukáš Mašek
11 FW Template:Country data CZE Filip Špatenka
12 MF Template:Country data CZE Vojtěch Stránský
14 MF Template:Country data CZE Matěj Strnad
16 MF Template:Country data CZE Hynek Hruška
18 DF Template:Country data CZE Josef Koželuh
19 MF Template:Country data CZE Michal Hlavatý
20 MF Template:Country data AUT Ermin Mahmic
21 FW Template:Country data SVK Lukáš Letenay
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 DF Template:Country data CZE Jan Knapík
24 MF Template:Country data SVK Patrik Dulay
25 MF Template:Country data NGA Ahmad Ghali
26 MF Template:Country data CZE Lukáš Masopust
27 DF Template:Country data UGA Aziz Kayondo
28 FW Template:Country data GHA Benjamin Nyarko
29 DF Template:Country data CZE Dominik Mašek
31 GK Template:Country data CZE Hugo Jan Bačkovský
32 DF Template:Country data CZE Šimon Gabriel
33 GK Template:Country data CZE Lukáš Pešl
34 MF Template:Country data KOS Qëndrim Zyba
40 GK Template:Country data CZE Tomáš Koubek
47 GK Template:Country data CZE Jindřich Musil
99 FW Template:Country data LVA Raimonds Krollis
— MF Template:Country data CZE Milan Lexa
— FW Template:Country data SVK Ľubomír Tupta

Out on loan

<templatestyles src="Template:Football squad player/styles.css" /> Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Notable former players

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Player records in the Czech First League

Template:Updated.[7] Highlighted players are in the current squad.

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Most clean sheets

# Name Clean sheets
1 Template:Flagicon Ladislav Maier 50
2 Template:Flagicon Zbyněk Hauzr 49
3 Template:Flagicon Antonín Kinský 43

Managers

Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

History in domestic competitions

  • Seasons spent at Level 1 of the football league system: 32
  • Seasons spent at Level 2 of the football league system: 0
  • Seasons spent at Level 3 of the football league system: 0
  • Seasons spent at Level 4 of the football league system: 0

Czech Republic

Season League Placed Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Cup
1993–94 1. liga 9th 30 11 11 8 32 26 +6 44 Round of 16
1994–95 1. liga 4th 30 16 3 11 49 46 +3 51 Round of 32
1995–96 1. liga 7th 30 12 8 10 34 30 +4 44 Round of 32
1996–97 1. liga 5th 30 12 10 8 33 30 +3 46 Round of 16
1997–98 1. liga 5th 30 13 8 9 39 32 +7 47 Round of 64
1998–99 1. liga 9th 30 9 11 10 33 34 –1 38 Runners-up
1999–00 1. liga 8th 30 9 11 10 21 24 –3 38 Winners
2000–01 1. liga 6th 30 12 9 9 39 31 +8 45 Round of 16
2001–02 1. liga 1st 30 19 7 4 55 26 +29 64 Quarter-finals
2002–03 1. liga 4th 30 14 8 8 43 36 +7 50 Round of 16
2003–04 1. liga 6th 30 12 10 8 38 27 +11 46 Semi-finals
2004–05 1. liga 5th 30 14 10 6 45 26 +19 46† Semi-finals
2005–06 1. liga 1st 30 16 11 3 43 22 +21 59 Round of 32
2006–07 1. liga 4th 30 16 10 4 44 22 +22 58 Round of 16
2007–08 1. liga 6th 30 12 8 10 35 31 +4 44 Runners-up
2008–09 1. liga 3rd 30 14 10 6 41 28 +13 52 Quarter-finals
2009–10 1. liga 9th 30 10 7 13 34 39 –5 37 Quarter-finals
2010–11 1. liga 7th 30 12 7 11 45 36 +9 43 Round of 32
2011–12 1. liga 1st 30 20 6 4 68 29 +39 66 Quarter-finals
2012–13 1. liga 3rd 30 16 6 8 46 34 +12 54 Semi-finals
2013–14 1. liga 4th 30 14 6 10 37 46 -9 48 Round of 32
2014–15 1. liga 12th 30 7 12 11 39 43 -4 33 Winners
2015–16 1. liga 3rd 30 17 7 6 51 35 +16 58 Quarter-finals
2016–17 1. liga 9th 30 10 9 11 31 28 +3 39 Quarter-finals
2017–18 1. liga 6th 30 13 7 10 37 35 +2 46 Quarter-finals
2018–19 1. liga 6th 35 12 10 13 34 32 +2 46 Quarter-finals
2019–20 1. liga 5th 36 16 6 14 57 51 +6 54 Runners-up
2020–21 1. liga 6th 34 14 10 10 44 32 +12 52 Quarter-finals
2021–22 1. liga 9th 32 10 7 15 29 41 -12 37 Round of 64
2022–23 1. liga 7th 34 12 8 14 51 49 +2 44 Quarter-finals
2023–24 1. liga 9th 32 10 10 12 47 50 -3 40 Quarter-finals
2024–25 1. liga 9th 32 12 9 11 47 35 +12 45 Round of 32

Notes: † six points deducted

History in European competitions

Season Competition Round Country Club Score
2000–01 UEFA Cup 1st Round Template:Flagicon IFK Norrköping 2–2, 2–1
2nd Round Template:Flagicon Liverpool 0–1, 2–3
2001–02 UEFA Cup 1st Round Template:Flagicon Slovan Bratislava 2–0, 0–1
2nd Round Template:Flagicon Celta Vigo 1–3, 3–0
3rd Round Template:Flagicon Mallorca 3–1, 1–2
4th Round Template:Flagicon Lyon 1–1, 4–1
1/4 Finals Template:Flagicon Borussia Dortmund 0–0, 0–4
2002–03 UEFA Champions League 3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon Milan 0–1, 2–1
UEFA Cup 1st Round Template:Flagicon Dinamo Tbilisi 3–2, 1–0
2nd Round Template:Flagicon Ipswich Town 0–1, 1–0 (4–2 pen)
3rd Round Template:Flagicon Panathinaikos 2–2, 0–1
2003 Intertoto Cup 2nd Round Template:Flagicon Shamrock Rovers 2–0, 2–0
3rd Round Template:Flagicon Racing Santander 1–0, 2–1
Semi-finals Template:Flagicon Schalke 04 1–2, 0–0
2004 Intertoto Cup 2nd Round Template:Flagicon FK ZTS Dubnica 2–1, 5–0
3rd Round Template:Flagicon Roda JC 1–0, 1–1
Semi-finals Template:Flagicon Nantes 1–0, 1–2
Finals Template:Flagicon Schalke 04 1–2, 0–1
2005 Intertoto Cup 2nd Round Template:Flagicon Beitar Jerusalem 5–1, 2–1
3rd Round Template:Flagicon Roda JC 0–0, 1–1
2006–07 UEFA Champions League 3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon Spartak Moscow 0–0, 1–2
UEFA Cup 1st Round Template:Flagicon Red Star Belgrade 2–0, 2–1
Group C Template:Flagicon Sevilla 0–0
Template:Flagicon Braga 0–4
Template:Flagicon Grasshoppers 4–1
Template:Flagicon AZ 2–2
2007 Intertoto Cup 2nd Round Template:Flagicon Tobol 1–1, 0–2
2008–09 UEFA Cup 2nd Qual. Template:Flagicon Žilina 1–2, 1–2
2009–10 UEFA Europa League 3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon Vaduz 1–0, 2–0
Play-off Template:Flagicon Dinamo București 3–0 (c), 0–3 (8–9 pen)
2012–13 UEFA Champions League 2nd Qual. Template:Flagicon Shakhter Karagandy 1–0, 1–1 a.e.t.
3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon CFR Cluj 0–1, 1–2
UEFA Europa League Play-off Template:Flagicon Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 2–2, 2–4
2013–14 UEFA Europa League 2nd Qual. Template:Flagicon Skonto 1–2, 1–0
3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon Zürich 2–1, 2–1
Play-off Template:Flagicon Udinese 3–1, 1–1
Group H Template:Flagicon SC Freiburg 2–2, 1–2
Template:Flagicon Estoril 2–1, 2–1
Template:Flagicon Sevilla 1–1, 1–1
Round of 32 Template:Flagicon AZ 0–1, 1–1
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 2nd Qual. Template:Flagicon MFK Košice 1–0, 3–0
3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon Astra Giurgiu 0–3, 2–3
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2–1, 3–0
Play-off Template:Flagicon Hajduk Split 1–0, 1–0
Group F Template:Flagicon Braga 0–1, 1–2
Template:Flagicon Marseille 1–0, 2–4
Template:Flagicon Groningen 1–1, 1–0
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon Admira Wacker Mödling 2–1, 2–0
Play–off Template:Flagicon AEK Larnaca 1–0, 3–0
Group J Template:Flagicon Fiorentina 1–3, 0–3
Template:Flagicon PAOK 1–2, 0–2
Template:Flagicon Qarabağ 2–2, 3–0
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 2nd Qual. Template:Flagicon Riteriai 5−1
3rd Qual. Template:Flagicon FCSB 2−0
Play-off Template:Flagicon APOEL 1–0
Group L Template:Flagicon Gent 1–0, 2–1
Template:Flagicon Red Star Belgrade 1–5, 0–0
Template:Flagicon 1899 Hoffenheim 0–5, 0–2

Honours

Club records

Czech First League records

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Sister project

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