PARIS — Vladimir Weiss will return to coach the Slovak national football team after Italian Francesco Calzona stepped down last month, the Slovak football association (SFZ) said on Tuesday.
Weiss previously led Slovakia from 2008 to 2012, guiding them to the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup on their debut appearance at the finals.
The 61-year-old has been head coach of Slovak champions Slovan Bratislava since 2021, winning the league title with the club every year during his tenure.
SFZ vice-president Karol Belanik said a selection committee had “unequivocally approved” Weiss for the job.
Calzona stepped down after four years as Slovakia failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup, losing to Kosovo in the play-offs.
Under Calzona, Slovakia comfortably qualified for Euro 2024, where they beat Belgium in the group stage before losing to England after extra time in the last 16.
But they were stunned 4-3 by Kosovo at home in the 2026 World Cup play-off semifinals in March after finishing second behind Germany in qualifying Group A.
A former midfielder, the outspoken Weiss played for the former Czechoslovakia at the World Cup in Italy in 1990.
His son Vladimir, also a midfielder, plays for Slovan after stints with clubs across Europe including Manchester City, Glasgow Rangers and Espanyol.
The coach’s father, also Vladimir, helped Czechoslovakia win the men’s football silver medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
