Northern Ireland v Slovakia

Words Liam Blackburn

SLOVAKIA THE COACH Stefan Tarkovic was parachuted in as interim manager only 23 days ago once Pavel Hapal was sacked shortly after Slovakia’s win over the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2020 Path B play-off semi-final.

Tarkovic is familiar with the international set-up, however, having previously served as Jan Kozak’s assistant between 2013 and 2018. During that time Slovakia reached Euro 2016 – their first European Championship finals and only their second major tournament. “The most important thing for us is that it is a person that knows the team,” Slovak Football Association president Jan Kovacik said when announcing Tarkovic’s appointment until the end of November. This is not the first time Tarkovic has been asked to lead the team on a temporary basis either. Back in October 2018 Kozak vacated his post after two defeats and recommended Tarkovic should be his successor. “He is a straight guy who’s been with me all the time for good and bad things,” Kozak said of Tarkovic at his final press conference. “He is a great person and there are few of them.” As it turned out he had the role for just one game – taking charge of a 1-1 friendly draw against Sweden, when Albert Rusnak’s 84th minute goal cancelled out John Guidetti’s opener in Stockholm. Hapal took over following that game and so this play-off final in Belfast will be the first game Tarkovic has taken charge of in two years. His previous managerial experience has been limited to short-term roles with MFK Kosice, Tatran Presov and Zilina in his homeland. “On the one hand it is an honour. On the other hand leading the team to the finals of the European

Championships is also a great responsibility. I am fully aware of that,” Tarkovic said of taking the reins. Marek Mintal and Samuel Slovak – both former Slovakia internationals in their playing days – will be Tarkovic’s assistants. “I’m used to teamwork; I’m a team player,” Tarkovic added. “I suddenly take it as a crisis situation and I want all members of the team to have experience. They are successful players with a representative career.” » Tarkovic was born in Presov and played for Tatran Presov – a club he later managed – but a serious ankle injury at the age of 24 prevented him from enjoying great success as a player. » One of his team-mates and close friends at Tatran Presov was Slovakia international Stanislav Varga, who later played for Sunderland, Celtic, West Brom and Burnley. » In January 2019 Tarkovic was appointed as the Slovak Football Association’s technical director. » The 47-year-old is also a ‘doctor’, having written a thesis during his time at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports at Bratislava’s Comenius University.

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