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Sport: Football Celtic appoints new coach
Celtic have appointed Dr Jozef Venglos as their new head coach on a three-year contract.
The former Aston Villa manager is the successor to Wim Jansen who took Celtic to their first Scottish league title in a decade last season, but resigned just two days later.
Venglos, known as "The Doctor", took over at Villa Park from Graham Taylor in 1990, but was replaced a year later by Ron Atkinson.
The 62-year-old Slovakian, unveiled at a news conference at Parkhead on Friday, will initially have to operate at the club in a consultancy capacity until he obtains a work permit.
Venglos, currently coaching advisor to FIFA and technical director to Slovan Bratislava, was the first foreign manager in top-flight English football.
However his spell in Britain was memorable for its lack of success, when the Villa only just avoided relegation in the 1990-91 season.
Celtic were dealt a blow on Thursday when former France coach Gerard Houllier opted to go to Liverpool as joint team manager rather than travel to Parkhead.
Celtic managing director Fergus McCann said: "Jozef Venglos has a wealth of experience and knowledge of coaching which is difficult to match in world football.
"He knows what it takes to win at the highest level, winning leagues and cups at national level, European, and international level as well as taking Czechoslovakia to World Cup finals in Italia 90.
"The process we have gone through has involved talking to many people. It has been an in-depth search and at the end of it we have an intelligent man with a mature attitude and a knowledge of playing and coaching at the highest level."
Part of Venglos' brief will be to identify and groom his successor as he will be of pensionable age when his contract expires.
McCann said: "I believe that Jozef will not only take the first team forward but will ensure the entire coaching set-up throughout the club has a strong foundation for many years to come."
Venglos, who has also coached the national teams of Australia, Malaysia, Oman, Slovakia and Czechoslovakia, said: "I could not resist the offer of the opportunity to coach a club that is embedded in world soccer's history.
"The chance to work with 13 international players in one of Europe's finest football arenas with 60,000 supporters and so much potential still to achieve is an opportunity and challenge I relish."
The appointment of Venglos has angered some supporters and around 200 assembled outside the Parkhead offices with some chanting "Brown Out," referring to general manager Jock Brown.
But fans head Peter Rafferty urged his fellow followers to be patient and to give Venglos time.
The president of the Amalgamation of Registered Celtic Supporters' Clubs said: "Venglos is a bit of a mystery man. It is not a name we expected.
"Overall it is a surprise move on the club's part and I think that is how the supporters may view it.
"But we must give him a chance to show what he can do. That's in everyone's best interests."
Barking mad: dog cost Olsen the Celtic job
Egil Olsen reveals he chose man’s best friend over chance to manage Celtic.
02 June 2011 09:53 GMT
Egil Olsen had to paws for thought when offered the Celtic job in 1998.
Norwegian manager Egil Olsen has revealed that he was close to taking the manager’s job at Parkhead but that his dog cost him the chance to be Celtic boss.
The chance came in 1998 when Celtic were looking to replace Wim Jansen, who had taken the club to a league and cup double the previous season. Olsen had come to the end of a nine-year stint as Norway boss, where he had won many admirers as he led them to successive World Cup appearances and, at one point, second place in the Fifa rankings.
Reports at the time linked the Norwegian with the Parkhead vacancy, even going so far as to say that “Drillo” had lined up Finnish defender Toni Tervonin as his first signing.
In an interview with Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, Olsen has confirmed that the rumours were true and that he had come very close to accepting a firm offer from Celtic. However, the manager’s canine companion came between him and the Hoops.
Asked if he had any regrets about decisions he made in his coaching career, Olsen highlighted the day he chose to knock back Celtic.
“Well, I refused to be the coach of Celtic,” he said. “Financially, I had probably been even more secure than I am today. It is something I sometimes think was a stupid decision.”
“[Celtic would have been] exciting.It’s a club that just wins and wins.
“We negotiated, and I got a good offer. But then the dog stopped me.”
Olsen revealed that UK rules that dogs must spend three months in quarantine before being allowed into the country gave him a difficult decision to make. The manager’s attachment to his dog Copier saw the man who had a reputation for being outspoken and controversial prove that his bark is far worse than his bite.
“It was Celtic or Copier. And the dog won.,” he admitted.
Looking back on his decision, and reservations that saw him knock back Marseille before taking up the reins at Valerenga, Olsen conceded that he had missed out on the biggest opportunities of his club career.
“You can say that no one as big as Marseille or Celtic made contact,” he added.
Second opinion favours the good doctor on return visit to Glasgow
The former Celtic head coach, back in Glasgow this weekend to front a European seminar – Coach 2000 organised by sportscotland and Glasgow City Council – shares a page with Vogts in which the German is described as The Winner, and he is labelled simply The Gentleman. Meant, no doubt, as a compliment, it was exactly his humane, kindly ways that left him without a name after his troubled, 10-month stint as Celtic’s head coach.
Dr Venglos’ reign at Parkhead for season 1998-99 is generally regarded as one of unmitigated disaster. Inheriting a title-winning squad from Wim Jansen, who left under a cloud, dismal early-season form led to the-then 62-year-old being portrayed as a man fiddling while Celtic’s season burned, the Slovak ridiculed over his age and words. He was shamefully presented as a bumbling old fool whose near-four decades’ experience as a coach did not make him cut out for the high-pressure post. "Certain writers chose to make a judgment of me I would not have been able to change, whatever happened," he says. "I don’t care. I don’t have to justify myself after my career."
Perhaps Venglos’ decency was not suited to the snake-pit environment of the Old Firm, the former Czechoslovakia manager preferring to exchange ideas within his squad rather than impose his will on them. But whatever his suitability, or otherwise, to take charge of a club in ferment, his methods and record in Scotland did not warrant his character being assassinated on a daily basis.
Venglos is entitled to be bitter, but regular returns to a "nice country with nice people" indicate that this is just not in his make-up. Indeed, the 64-year-old has relished visiting for the UEFA seminars, and refuses to use the trip to set the record straight on the acceptable job that he carried out in monumentally-trying circumstances.
"It was a difficult time, but it was okay," he offers, in typically-understated fashion. "I had other options, but I am glad I came to an institution like Celtic. I had no problems with the players, and we played some good football. We had so many players who were at the World Cup, and it was hard for them to peak again immediately after that. Many suffered serious injuries, which did not help. Some people chose not take these factors into account."
This an allusion to his would-be executioners, a body who also pay scant regard to the fact that Venglos guided Celtic to a 21-game unbeaten run between November and March that took the club to within a whisper of league-winners Rangers; this sequence kicked-off with the astonishing 5-1 defeat of Dick Advocaat’s men. It is a result even now the Slovak will not gloat over. "We were pretty even in Old Firm games, and it was only in my last two [the final SPL match-up and the Scottish Cup final] that we suffered a defeat to Rangers," he says. "Our problem was losing to St Johnstone three times."
Robbed of Marc Reiper for practically the entire season, the additional handicaps of long-term injuries to Alan Stubbs, Craig Burley and Jackie McNamara denied him key performers who had been the backbone of the title-winning side. Celtic, more than the media, though, hung Venglos out to dry. Turning to him at the 11th hour after several other candidates turned them down, the club dragged their heels over investing in the transfer market. It was not until two months into the season that reinforcements began to arrive in the shape of Vidar Riseth, Lubo Moravcik and Johan Mjallby. In December, Mark Viduka arrived, only to disappear back to Australia and, at a crucial period, deny Venglos a striker whose market value at Leeds has soared to £14m, three times the sum that the Slovak paid for him.
That Moravcik, whom his countryman was mocked for signing, and Mjallby remain integral to Martin O’Neill’s plans this season proves that Venglos was no fool. "I knew it was going to be transition season, the officials at the club had warned me of that, but I am glad I could bring some good players. I think I can look anyone in the eye, and say my assessment of these players was correct."
Venglos could also claim to have kept his dignity while others lost theirs, but is too genial to do that. High blood pressure was the reason given for him making way for John Barnes, a selection about which he is diplomatic: "The club thought they were getting it right; they wanted it to be right." In Barnes’ successor, O’Neill, Venglos feels they have got it right. "He is an intelligent, nice man with plenty of experience, who is getting a very good response from the players and fans, which is most important."
'IT WAS WEIRD'
Jozef Venglos was a disaster at Aston Villa but he started a revolution in English football
Football Trailblazers: The first foreign manager in the top flight left a questionable legacy but helped pave the way for Arsene Wenger
By Daniel Storey
Tuesday, 28th April 2020, 2:22 pm
https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/jozef-venglos-aston-villa-first-foreign-manager-english-football-2552657
Dr Jozef Venglos was appointed Aston Villa manager after a successful spell with Czechoslovakia (Getty Images)
Dr Jozef Venglos was appointed Aston Villa manager after a successful spell with Czechoslovakia (Getty Images)
Ask Aston Villa supporters of a certain vintage for their favourite home game, and they might well get misty-eyed and nostalgic about October 1990.
Having beaten Banik Ostrava home and away in the Uefa Cup first round, Villa were drawn against Inter, against whom most fans expected them to be swatted aside.
On a magical late autumn evening, a team including Andy Comyn, Chris Price, Stuart Gray and Gordon Cowans won 2-0. That Inter side contained Walter Zenga, Giuseppe Bergomi, Andreas Brehme, Lothar Matthaus and Jurgen Klinsmann.
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The result was heralded as the dawn of a new age of English football. Three months earlier, Villa chairman Doug Ellis had appointed Dr Jozef Venglos to replace new England manager Graham Taylor. Venglos was not the first foreign manager in England, but he was the first in the top flight. Ossie Ardiles and Danny Bergara, his two overseas – and lower-league – contemporaries, had both already immersed themselves in English football. Venglos was a total mystery.
Venglos certainly had the CV to merit the size of club, even if the appointment was left-field. His Czechoslovakia team had reached the semi-finals of the European Championship and been knocked out of World Cup ‘90 by a Matthaus penalty for West Germany. But English football had only ever recruited on a distinctly insular basis. The three frontrunners for the Villa job: Gerry Francis, Arthur Cox and David Pleat. We created the game and gave it to the world. There was little to be gained from being taught to suck eggs.
Villa and Venglos were a terrible match that ended in divorce with his resignation after less than a year in charge. Villa finished 17th in Division One, a fall of 15 places from the previous season. The football was either dull or embarrassingly naive (the 3-0 second leg defeat in Milan an early example of the latter), and it took Englishman Ron ‘Mr Personality’ Atkinson to haul Villa back to their expected level.
But it would be remiss not to mention the mitigating circumstances. Arsene Wenger is credited with shifting the mindset of English football and English footballers in the mid-1990s, but Venglos attempted the same trick half a decade before him. He extolled the power of warm-ups and warm-downs, tried to ward Villa’s players away from steak, chips and beer with his research into the value of healthy nutrition and at least initially attempted to implement a continental passing style.
But Venglos arrived at the fight for revolution holding a rusty spoon. While Wenger was able to sign 11 players from foreign clubs in his first 18 months, an army of disciples to convince the existing squad of the need for systemic lifestyle changes, Venglos inherited new signing Tony Cascarino and recruited only one player in his first summer. Ivo Stas would never play a game for the club, his career ruined by achilles injuries.
Arsene Wenger was able to sign European talents like Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars shortly after he joined Arsenal (Getty Images)
Arsene Wenger was able to sign European talents like Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars shortly after he joined Arsenal (Getty Images)
He also succeeded an incredibly popular manager. Arsenal’s underperformance under Bruce Rioch and Stewart Houston gave Wenger a mandate for change, but Villa had finished second in the league under the immensely popular Taylor. The squad – understandably – saw little need to fix a way of life that wasn’t broken. Villa was not ripe for revolution, and chairman Ellis should have foreseen as much. Put simply, some of the players thought that Venglos was a crackpot.
Nor too was English football ready for Venglos’ kind. The press had made up its mind en masse after preseason (and were proven correct). Italia ‘90 had certainly opened English eyes to the wide footballing world beyond our coastline, but we still believed that we knew best. That mistrust of outsiders still permeates our culture (to its detriment) 30 years on.
But dreams can only be sold if they are founded upon realism. Purely being a visionary isn’t enough, and should not absolve Venglos of blame. He discussed the merits of passing football in autumn but by spring had virtually abandoned his principles by playing direct football that often launched the ball to Cascarino. He spent £1m on forward Gary Penrice, who scored one league goal for the club. He replaced assistant manager John Ward with former player Peter Withe and then embarked upon an all-out-attack strategy that fell down because Villa couldn’t create sufficient chances and were hopeless defensively.
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Ultimately, then, Venglos’ legacy is questionable. It is certainly true that he attempted to implement the same principles that Wenger did so majestically at Arsenal, but Wenger is remembered more fondly purely because he was so successful at both delivering the message and converting it into results. The means are only justified if the end is satisfactory.
Celtic gear up to replace Venglos
By Ian Archer
https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/apr/05/newsstory.sport6
Mon 5 Apr 1999 22.35 BST
First published on Mon 5 Apr 1999 22.35 BST
Jozef Venglos will tell Celtic next week whether he intends to return to his native Slovakia at the end of the season. The 62-year-old manager is concerned about his health and may exercise a contractual option that would allow him to leave the club.
Venglos hinted strongly after Celtic's 5-0 demolition of Dundee on Saturday that a long winter spent on the training field had taken its toll and a younger man might be more suitable for what he described as 'the greatest club that I have ever worked for'.
A quick decision is expected so that Celtic could have a new manager in place in time for next season. A potential replacement for Venglos is thought to have been identified already, and is currently working in the English Premiership.
Earlier, Fergus McCann, the Celtic chief executive, was given a standing ovation by a 59,000 crowd as he watched his last game before going into tax exile, leaving the club under a new regime. The unassuming McCann even departed 10 minutes before the end of the match to avoid any more back-slapping .
By that time, Celtic had scored five goals, the sixth time in 19 matches that they have scored at least that many. Henrik Larsson, soon to pick up every individual honour for the season, claimed another couple.
Hearts' predicament continued as they threw away a two-goal advantage at Tynecastle to allow Kilmarnock a draw. Gary McSwegan's first-half goals were the first to come their way in the league this year. They remain two points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League, below Dunfermline, who were beaten at Aberdeen by a Robbie Winters hat-trick.
But there were some in the capital who were street partying as Hibernian gained promotion from the First Division after a year's absence. Russell Lapaty scored both goals in the game against Hamilton Academicals at Fir Hill.
Both Livingstone and Inverness Caledonian Thistle were promoted from the Second Division while Ross County finally made it out of the Third. Stranraer were relegated from the First despite the insistence by the club mascot Carol Vorderman that they still had a mathematical chance of not being counted down.
Celtic deny that Slovakian's appointment is a panic move after Houllier snub Venglos takes hot seat
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12256403.celtic-deny-that-slovakians-appointment-is-a-panic-move-after-houllier-snub-venglos-takes-hot-seat/
AFTER 68 seemingly elongated days, Celtic fans were yesterday presented with the new man to take the club into the new season, former Aston Villa and Czechoslovakian national coach, 62-year-old Dr Jozef Venglos.
On announcing the appointment of the new head coach, who has a Doctorate in Physical Education, general manager Jock Brown, who was given the task of finding a replacement for championship winner Wim Jansen, said he was delighted at the acquisition. ''I am convinced he fits the brief I had as well as anyone in the world,'' he said.
Brown added that Venglos, who leaves behind roles with FIFA's technical committee as well as a technical manager's post at Slovan Bratislava, was his first choice as soon as it was known that he would be available.
Asked why it had taken so long to appoint the new coach, Brown snapped: ''What delay? He worked at the World Cup until Monday. What are you talking about?''
At that juncture, chairman Fergus McCann explained: ''It was difficult, the whole process. It was difficult not just to get to those who were prospects, but to get referees, who would give us feedback on individuals.''
Brown also flatly denied that the move was a panic buy in light of Gerard Houllier moving to Liverpool as joint manager and a host of others knocking back his advances, including Norway coach Egil Olsen and former Swedish coach Tommy Svensson.
Clearly uneasy at the line of questioning, he snapped: ''Who said they were signing? We started off by saying we would not comment, confirm, or deny any individual until we produce a man that we have.
''That's what we have done exactly, and, in the midst of all that, we are picking up papers reading all sorts of things.''
McCann, however, conceded: ''It did take time, I agree, but we've done it properly and have chosen a person that brings us qualities we could not find in any other candidate. We're delighted with the credentials he brings to the position.''
Indeed, the new man at the helm does have a wide-ranging managerial career.His biggest success was winning the European Champion-ship with Czechoslovakia in 1976. He also took them to the quarter-finals in Italia 90.
He has also coached the Australian and Malaysian national sides as well as Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon and Turkish side Fenerbahce.
However, he is perhaps best known on these shores as the man who left Aston Villa after less than a year in charge during season 1990-91.
Indeed, only two years ago, a Herald interview with another member of FIFA's technical committee, Andy Roxburgh, revealed that Venglos ''was unable to come to terms with the way the game is played and the way players prepare in Britain.''
However, McCann was quick to defend his record and even went to Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis for a recommendation.
''He was so lavish in his praise I couldn't get him off the phone,'' said McCann. ''He said he was light years ahead of any other manager he has experienced.''
The man himself says that he learned a lot from his English experience. ''There is one very important point here, that was eight years ago. Many things have happened in British football since then. The tactical work and European build-up was not used so much then, nor were the training methods. However, after some new players and managers came in, it became a much stronger influence.
''You change your view of football in eight years, too, and I am hoping it will be easier to implement something just a little bit different. I am not here to change Scottish football, I am just here to add something.''
Venglos, who has signed a three-year deal at Parkhead, added: ''It's a great privilege to be at a big club such as Celtic. They had 10 players at the World Cup. I am ready to work hard and, hopefully, the players will benefit from me being here.''
He will be assisted in the interim by Eric Black and is aware of the difficulty of replacing Jansen, a hero with the Celtic support after delivering them their first league title in 10 years.
''I think that when you come to a big club there is always going to be pressure. It wasn't my fault that the manager left and I think the fans will understand that.
''I have to work to maintain the standards, then maybe look to improve upon them. I think a new coach brings in a little something new.
''I respect what was done last year and I have faith in the players who are here. I am also very happy to see that the youth development in Celtic is excellent and the structure of the club is done very well.
''With all that in place, I hope to see a first-team squad with a lot of good, young players. The club is in a good state and I think it can go a little bit higher and a little bit further at home and in our European approach.''
Brown stated that money will be available for the new coach if, indeed, he believed the team needed strengthening. However, Venglos is a believer in getting the balance right between spending and nurturing the young talent available.
''I believe there needs to be a balance,'' he said. ''What I have is experience. When I was at Sporting Lisbon I played Paulo Futre at 17. Also, when I was at Aston Villa I managed to bring Dwight Yorke into the team and now he is one of the best players in Britain.''
Venglos will catch the first glimpse of his new charges today against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in a testi- monial match for Killie's long-serving defender Ray Montgomerie, but it will be from the stands as his work permit details have yet to be finalised.
Eric Black, then, will conclude his spell as acting coach at Rugby Park.
Marc Reiper, Harald Brattbakk, Paul Lambert, David Hannah, and Phil O'Donnell will be missing, with the latter two doubts for Tuesday's Champions' League preliminary-round game with St Patrick's at Parkhead.
From <https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12256403.celtic-deny-that-slovakians-appointment-is-a-panic-move-after-houllier-snub-venglos-takes-hot-seat/>
Jozef Venglos: Former Aston Villa and Celtic manager dies, aged 84
Venglos was the first coach from outside the UK and Ireland to manage in the English First Division
Sports Staff
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/jozef-venglos-former-aston-villa-and-celtic-manager-dies-aged-84-b1793208.htmlDr Jozef Venglos manages Celtic in 1998
(Getty)
Former Aston Villa and Celtic manager Jozef Venglos has died at the age of 84.
Venglos made history as the first manager from outside the UK and Ireland to take charge of a club in the English First Division when he was appointed Aston Villa boss in 1990.
He spent just one disappointing season in charge and went on to manage Celtic during the 1998-99 campaign, while his career also included spells in charge of the Czechoslovakia and Slovakia national teams.
A statement on the Celtic website read: "Everyone at Celtic is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of our former manager, Dr Jozef Venglos, who has died at the age of 84.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Dr Jozef Venglos' family and the whole of football in Slovakia at this very sad time."
<p>Dr Jozef Venglos oversees Celtic’s match against Croatia Zagreb in 1998</p>
Dr Jozef Venglos oversees Celtic’s match against Croatia Zagreb in 1998
(Getty Images)
While Venglos' time with Villa was not successful, with the side finishing 17th in the First Division, having finished the previous season under Graham Taylor as runners-up to Liverpool, it had wider significance in paving the way for the influx of foreign managers.
Stan Collymore, who played for Villa from 1997 to 2000, wrote on Twitter: "Sad news that Dr Jo Venglos has passed away.
"First ever foreign manager to manage in the English top flight with Villa, didn't last long but always came across as a decent man. Rest in peace, Dr Jo."
Venglos' sole season at Celtic ended without silverware as Rangers claimed the title, but he is fondly remembered by Celtic fans for a 5-1 victory over their Old Firm rivals.
His most successful spells came with the Czechoslovakia national team. As assistant to Vaclav Jezek he won the 1976 European Championships before moving into the hotseat himself two years later and leading the country to a third-placed finish at the next tournament.
He also made the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup in a second spell in charge, while he became the first manger of Slovakia after independence when he was appointed in 1993.
Former Celtic manager, Dr Jozef Venglos, passes away
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/january/Former-Celtic-manager-Dr-Jozef-Venglos-passes-away/
Everyone at Celtic is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of our former manager, Dr Jozef Venglos, who has died at the age of 84.
Dr Jo was a legend of Slovakian football and had been the first manager of the Slovakian national side after the country regained its independence in 1993.
He had a wealth of managerial experience both at club and international level stretching over 30 years – he had also managed the former Czechoslovakia side and, indeed, was assistant manager when they won the European Championships in 1976 – by the time he was appointed Celtic manager in 1998.
He was in charge at Paradise for the 1998/99 season, and memorably helped the Hoops to a 5-1 victory in a Glasgow derby clash. His fellow countryman, Lubomir Moravcik, scored two goals in that game, and it was Dr Jo who brought Lubo to Celtic, something that the Celtic supporters were always thankful for. He also brought in Johan Mjallby, another signing who would go on to be a great player for Celtic. At the end of that season, Dr Jo left Celtic, but always remained a hugely popular figure with fans.
A highly respected figure in football, Dr Jo shared his knowledge of the game through coaching lectures he gave throughout the world, and from 1995 to 2013 he was president of the Alliance of European Football Coaches (AEFCA), subsequently being elected its honorary president. He is a member of the Slovak Football Hall of Fame and, indeed, is regarded as Slovakia’s greatest coach of the 20 century.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Dr Jozef Venglos’ family and the whole of football in Slovakia at this very sad time.
Former Celtic and Aston Villa manager Jozef Venglos dies aged 84
Celtic ‘extremely saddened’ to hear of Venglos’s death
First manager from outside UK and Ireland in English top flight
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/26/former-celtic-and-aston-villa-manager-jozef-venglos-dies-aged-84Tue 26 Jan 2021 23.30 GMT
Last modified on Wed 27 Jan 2021 00.20 GMT
33
The former Celtic and Aston Villa manager Jozef Venglos has died at the age of 84. Venglos made history as the first manager from outside the UK and Ireland to take charge of a club in the English First Division when he was appointed Aston Villa manager in 1990.
Venglos spent just one disappointing season in charge of Villa, moving on to Fenerbahce, Slovakia and Oman before getting the top job at Celtic Park in 1998. The highlight of his time in Glasgow was a 5-1 win against Rangers but he was ultimately unable to prevent Celtic’s Old Firm rivals from reclaiming their Premiership title and lifting the trophy for the 48th time.
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His managerial career began at club level in Australia, where he graduated to the national side and took charge of three Socceroos games – all against Scotland on their 1967 tour.
He also had spells in charge of the Czechoslovakia, Malaysia and Slovakia national teams, as well as roles on the Fifa and Uefa technical committees.
A statement on the Celtic website read: “Everyone at Celtic is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of our former manager, Dr Jozef Venglos, who has died at the age of 84. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Dr Jozef Venglos’ family and the whole of football in Slovakia at this very sad time.”
While Venglos’s time with Villa was not successful, with the side finishing 17th in the First Division having ended the previous season under Graham Taylor as runners-up to Liverpool, it had wider significance in paving the way for the influx of foreign managers.
Stan Collymore, who played for Villa from 1997 to 2000, wrote on Twitter: “Sad news that Dr Jo Venglos has passed away. First ever foreign manager to manage in the English top flight with Villa, didn’t last long but always came across as a decent man. Rest in peace, Dr Jo.”
Jozef Venglos (bottom left, chairman of Uefa’s football development committee in 2001, sits alongside some of Europe’s finest coaches at a Uefa forum.
Jozef Venglos (bottom left), chairman of Uefa’s football development committee in 2001, sits alongside some of Europe’s finest coaches at a Uefa forum. Photograph: Laurent Gilliéron/AP
Venglos’s most successful spells came with the Czechoslovakia national team. As assistant to Vaclav Jezek he won the 1976 European Championship before moving into the hotseat himself two years later and leading the country to a third-place finish at the next tournament.
He also made the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup in a second spell in charge, while he became the first manager of Slovakia after independence when he was appointed in 1993.
Celtic legend Lubo Moravcik: Dr Jozef Venglos was right, Parkhead move made me fall in love with football again
Lubomir Moravcik has paid a heartfelt tribute to his mentor, Dr Jozef Venglos, who re-ignited his love for football by taking him to Celtic. By David Oliver Wednesday, 27th January 2021, 10:41 am Updated 22 hours ago https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-legend-lubo-moravcik-dr-jozef-venglos-was-right-parkhead-move-made-me-fall-love-football-again-3114246 The 84-year-old died on Tuesday, and fan favourite Moravcik added his comments to the growing number of tributes to the manager, who picked up the Slovakian for a bargain £300,000 and brought him to Scotland. It proved a shrewd signing, both for the club and for the player with Moravcik revealing the coach’s influencial role in his life – and how Celtic kept him involved in the game. Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports Moravcik said: “My condolences go out to Dr Jo's family and their loved ones. I am deeply saddened by the news as I have known him for almost 35 years. It has left me heartbroken. I sat and watched footage of us together during our days in football and the many happy moments we shared.” Moravcik (centre) alongside Fergus McCann and Dr Venglos after signing for Celtic in 1998 (Picture: SNS) Moravcik (centre) alongside Fergus McCann and Dr Venglos after signing for Celtic in 1998 (Picture: SNS) After first meeting during World Cup qualifiers for Italia 90, Venglos and Moravick combined to take Czechoslovakia to the tournament and teamed up again in 1998 at Celtic Park, when the maverick midfielder’s career had stalled. But that first encounter was the turning point in Morvacik’s career when he shared “one of the most important conversations of my life, something that changed me as a footballer and as a person” with his mentor. “He explained to me what I needed to do to become a better footballer, what I needed to do to bring more maturity and consistency into my game,” Moravcik said. “He reminded me of the sacrifices I was going to have to make to get to the very top. He knew I was capable of so much more and didn't want to see my talent go to waste. “It was a turning point in my life. That open and honest guidance from Dr Jo was exactly what I needed at that time.” Moravcik kicked on to St Etienne, Bastia and then Duisburg in Germany but, with football going flat Venglos returned to re-ignite his love for the game and team up again at Celtic. It proved a successful move. “To be honest, I was thinking about giving up football at that stage,” Moravcik revealed. “I was not happy in Germany. I was 33 and didn't think I had much of a future in the game. “But Dr Jo was the manager of Celtic and asked me if I wanted to join him and play for a massive football club. He trusted my ability and told me it would be perfect for my career and make me fall in love with football again. He assured me it would be a successful move. Well, he was right. “Celtic was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed many happy times at the football club and even now, 23 years on, I still have a fantastic relationship with the club and the supporters. “I have been extremely fortunate to have Dr Jo in my life. He was a great person, a great teacher and a great mentor. He was well mannered and humble. He enriched my life in many, many ways. “I also got to know his wife, Eva, and she is a lovely woman. They are all such lovely people. “I will miss him very much as will the game of football.”