Czech coach Silhavy quits after qualifying for Euro 2024

Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Silhavy said Monday he was stepping down, only minutes after watching his side clinch automatic qualification for Euro 2024 with a 3-0 win over Moldova.

"Even though we are happy now, we had already decided before the game not to continue," the 62-year-old coach told Czech Television in a post-match interview.

Silhavy took up the role in 2018, leading his team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 before failing to qualify for last year's World Cup in Qatar. 

The Czechs have now secured a spot at next year's Euros in Germany but he has come under fire for the team's lacklustre performances in Group E where they finished second behind Albania, winning only four out of eight games.

The Czech team was also hurt by last weekend's scandal as West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal and two other players were sent home after spending Saturday night at a night club.

"The pressure was enormous, beyond comprehension at times. It was one of the factors behind our decision," said Silhavy.