We recently introduced the new vision for the FC Viktoria Plzeň Academy. Now, it´s time to introduce the new faces who are joining the Academy and helping shape its future.

"We have launched a number of new projects and initiatives and, as I mentioned in a recent interview, it was essential to strengthen our team from a staffing perspective as well. I´m delighted that we can now introduce these new additions, who have already hit the ground running," says Zdeněk Psotka, Sporting Director of the Academy.

Jan Vonášek (pictured above) has been appointed as the Academy´s new Youth General Secretary. He brings extensive experience to the role. "He will be responsible for overseeing all of our administrative operations. I can already see his tremendous enthusiasm and commitment, and I´m very pleased that we´ve agreed to work together," explains Psotka.

The Academy´s coaching staff has also been strengthened by two specialists from Sweden, Frederik Sandell and Emil Ahlberg. Sandell has joined the High Performance department as a skills coach for defensive players while also serving as an assistant coach for the U16 team. Ahlberg has taken on the role of assistant coach for the U17 squad.

Former Viktoria players also play an important role in the Academy´s new structure. Jan Sýkora will work as a skills coach for attacking players and will also serve as assistant coach of the U17 team. Martin Fillo joins the U18 and U19 squads while also overseeing cooperation with the club´s new partner clubs. Jan Kopic will work with the U16 team and will continue his role as a mentor with Viktoria´s B team. Martin Zeman has joined the Academy as one of the coaches in the youth development programme. For the new season, Ondřej Šiml, a long-serving youth coach, has been appointed Head Coach of the Academy´s youth teams.

The Academy´s strength and conditioning department has also been reinforced by Rudolf Rondzik, who joins from Bohemians Prague as the Head of Strength and Conditioning. Tomáš Beran, formerly head coach of the WU15 team, has become Secretary of Women´s Football and Manager of the Academy´s girls´ teams.

Meanwhile, Karel Rada has left his position as Women´s Football Manager. "Karel deserves great thanks for everything he has done for the club. His hard work has left a lasting mark, and we want to build on the foundations he helped create," says Zdeněk Psotka.

He has been succeeded by Ondřej Lokaj, who will continue as head coach of the women´s first team. The coaching staff has also been strengthened by the arrival of assistant coach Martin Schuster.

After 30 years of dedicated service to the club, Jiří Schuster, the Academy´s Youth Secretary, has retired. However, he will continue to be part of Viktoria Plzeň in his role as team manager for the Academy´s youth teams.