Zdeněk Zeman

Zdeněk Zeman (Czech pronunciation: [ˈzdɛɲɛk ˈzɛman]; born 12 May 1947) is a Czech-Italian football manager.

Known for his exciting, offensive footballing tactics and use of the 4–3–3 formation, Zeman has managed numerous teams over the years, mostly in Italian football. He has won the Serie B title twice, with Foggia and with Pescara.

Career

Early years

Zeman's football coaching career started in Sicily, where he resided since the late 1960s. His first coaching experiences were for amateur football teams from the outskirts of Palermo (Cinisi, Bacigalupo, Carini, Esacalza, Misilmeri). In 1974, thanks to his uncle Čestmír Vycpálek's aid, he had his first notable experience as part of the Palermo youth coaching staff, which ended in 1983.

In 1975, he graduated with honours at the ISEF of Palermo (a sports school) with a dissertation in sports medicine. In 1979, he finally obtained the patentino (a license for coaching football at the professional level) at Coverciano's school for football coaches.

His first opportunity as a professional head coach came from Licata, a small-medium city in the province of Agrigento, where he won Serie C2 with a team mainly composed of youngsters. In 1986, he then left Licata to join Foggia of Serie C1, but he was sacked before the end of the championship. In 1987, he became coach for Parma of Serie B but was fired after seven matches. In 1988, he returned to Sicily as coach of Messina, finishing in eighth place at the end of the season, thanks to the goals of Salvatore Schillaci.