| Luboš Kubík | |
| Height: | 1.87 m |
| Birth Date: | 1964 1, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Vysoké Mýto, Czechoslovakia |
| Position: | Midfielder, libero |
| Youthyears1: | 1972–1979 |
| Youthclubs1: | Spartak Choceň |
| Youthyears2: | 1979–1982 |
| Youthclubs2: | Spartak Hradec Králové |
| Years1: | 1981–1982 |
| Clubs1: | Spartak Hradec Králové |
| Caps1: | 28 |
| Goals1: | 2 |
| Years2: | 1982–1988 |
| Clubs2: | TJ Slavia Praha IPS |
| Caps2: | 133 |
| Goals2: | 33 |
| Years3: | 1989–1991 |
| Clubs3: | Fiorentina |
| Caps3: | 50 |
| Goals3: | 8 |
| Years4: | 1991–1993 |
| Clubs4: | Metz |
| Caps4: | 70 |
| Goals4: | 14 |
| Years5: | 1993–1995 |
| Clubs5: | 1. FC Nürnberg |
| Caps5: | 40 |
| Goals5: | 5 |
| Years6: | 1995–1996 |
| Clubs6: | FK Drnovice |
| Caps6: | 14 |
| Goals6: | 2 |
| Years7: | 1996–1997 |
| Clubs7: | Slavia Prague |
| Caps7: | 14 |
| Goals7: | 1 |
| Years8: | 1997–1998 |
| Clubs8: | Lázně Bohdaneč |
| Caps8: | 2 |
| Goals8: | 0 |
| Years9: | 1998–2000 |
| Clubs9: | Chicago Fire |
| Caps9: | 71 |
| Goals9: | 15 |
| Years10: | 2001 |
| Clubs10: | Dallas Burn |
| Caps10: | 11 |
| Goals10: | 1 |
| Totalcaps: | 414 |
| Totalgoals: | 80 |
| Nationalyears1: | 1985–1993[1] |
| Nationalteam1: | Czechoslovakia |
| Nationalcaps1: | 39 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 10 |
| Nationalyears2: | 1994–1997 |
| Nationalteam2: | Czech Republic |
| Nationalcaps2: | 17 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 3 |
| Managerclubs1: | FC Hradec Králové |
| Manageryears2: | 2006 |
| Managerclubs2: | Śląsk Wrocław |
| Manageryears3: | 2006–2007 |
| Managerclubs3: | Torquay United |
| Manageryears4: | 2007 |
| Managerclubs4: | SK Týniště nad Orlicí |
Luboš Kubík (born 20 January 1964) is a Czech former professional footballer and former manager of Torquay United. He played libero for the Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic national teams, earning 56 caps with 13 goals in total,[2] and some clubs.
Kubík was born on 20 January 1964 in Vysoké Mýto, Pardubice Region.[3] He began his career in 1981 with Hradec Králové, and moved to local powers Slavia Prague the following year.[3]
In 1988, Kubík and fellow Czechoslovakian international Ivo Knoflíček fled to England from a training camp in West Germany. In January 1989, they attempted to sign for Derby County as free agents, and were presented as new signings by the club's then-owner, the Czechoslovak-born Robert Maxwell, during a match against Southampton. However, both footballers were still under contract with Slavia Prague, who refused to allow them to transfer.[4]
Upon the expiry of his FIFA disqualification, Kubík signed for Italian club ACF Fiorentina in April 1989 for approximately 600 million lire.[5] Wanting to obtain the required transfer to play in Italy, he came to an agreement with the Czechoslovak Football Federation to fulfil his military service obligations in his homeland first.[6]
Kubík moved to Ligue 1 club FC Metz in 1991 before transferring to Bundesliga team 1. FC Nürnberg in 1993,[7] Returning to the Czech Republic, he Drnovice FK, SK Slavia Prague, and AFK Lázně Bohdaneč.[8]
Kubík moved to Major League Soccer in 1998, joining the expansion team Chicago Fire.[9] While helping the Fire to win both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in their inaugural year, Kubík was named the MLS Defender of the Year.[10] Kubík continued to be a valuable attacking force from the back in 1999, registering five goals and eight assists, and was named in the MLS Best XI for a second time.[11]
Kubík signed for Dallas Burn during the 2001 off-season in exchange for Sergi Daniv. Kubík's final year was again plagued by injuries, having only played in 11 matches for the club. He retired at the end of the 2001 MLS season and returned to the Czech Republic.[12]
Kubík debuted for the Czechoslovakia national football team in 1985 against Sweden.[13] He represented Czechoslovakian and Czech Republic national teams, representing the former in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the latter in 1996 UEFA European Football Championship. Kubík played his last international game in 1997 against Belarus.[13]
Kubík was appointed as manager of Polish side Śląsk Wrocław in summer 2006,[14] but was sacked later that October after just 11 league games in charge.[15]
Kubík was appointed coach of the EFL League Two side Torquay United on 27 November 2006 through his close friendship with Torquay chairman Chris Roberts.[16] Despite his impressive playing career, his lack of managerial experience and contacts in England was a problem, not aided by Roberts appointing Richard Hancox as Kubík's assistant. Torquay struggled in the relegation zone with Kubík, winning just twice in 15 matches, thus he left club by mutual consent on 5 February 2007.[17] Roberts also resigned as chairman later that month.[18] The club was relegated at the end of the season, ending a 79-year spell in the Football League First Division.[19]
Kubík was appointed coach of third-tier Czech club SK Týniště nad Orlicí in 2007.[13] His first match in charge was a friendly match against Převýšov, the leading champions of the Hradec Králové Regional League.[20] Later that year, he left the club due to poor performances in the league.[21]
In March 2010, Kubík was appointed assistant coach of the United States men's national soccer team for the FIFA World Cup later that year.[22]
After retiring from professional football, Kubík worked with Masaryk Primary School in Dolní Roveň and TJ Sokol Roveň, when a project was implemented to train young football players under the banner of Luboš Kubík Rural Football School in Dolní Roveň.[23]
Kubík's son, also named Luboš, is founder of USA Sport & Study organization where he leads the soccer division and helps young Czech soccer players to follow his footsteps overseas until American universities.[24]
Individuals
1998, 1999