Two year contract for Czech Football coach

BERLIN, June 23 (Reuters) The Czech Republic Football Association will offer coach Karel Brueckner a new two-year contract, which he looks likely to accept despite the team's early exit from the World Cup, a team spokesman said today.

''Brueckner said that if the FA was to offer it to him, he would like to be the head coach,'' team spokesman Lukas Tucek told Reuters by telephone.

He said the Football Association would be making the offer in the coming days. The FA was not immediately available for comment.

The Czech Republic went out of the World Cup yesterday.

after losing 2-0 to Italy. A surprise 2-0 defeat to Ghana had already laid the ground for the Czechs' departure, dashing hopes raised after a 3-0 opening win over the United States.

News that Brueckner, 66, could stay on would be welcomed by the Czechs as he is credited with creating a cohesive team that won admirers at Euro 2004 for their flowing passes and technical ability. The Czech Republic lost in the semi-final although they were considered by many to be the best team in the tournament.

With a number of key players likely to retire, keeping the same coach would also create some kind of continuity as the team learns to play without the likes of veterans Pavel Nedved and Karel Poborsky.

Brueckner took charge of the national team in December 2001 after they failed to qualify for the previous World Cup finals.

Reuters