Istanbul hero hangs up his boots
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Former Czech Republic Star Vladimir Smicer Hangs Up His Boots
The ex-Liverpool man's body has finally told him to end his professional career. Smicer will now look back fondly on his footballing life, which started in earnest in 1992...
Former Czech Republic international Vladimir Smicer has announced that he has retired from professional football with immediate effect following a string of injuries.
"I am not able to help Slavia [Prague] on the field. I can no longer give it 100 per cent," the 36-year-old told a press conference. "My head and my heart want me to carry on, but my body says no."
Smicer scored 27 goals in 81 international appearances for the Czech national side from 1993-2006, featuring for the squad who finished runners-up to Germany at Euro '96.
He started his club career at Slavia Prague and moved on to Racing Club de Lens in the summer of 1996. The attacking midfielder attracted the interest of Liverpool with his superb performances in France and eventually joined the Premier League powerhouse in 1999.
Smicer went on to become an important first team member at Anfield and made well over 100 appearances for the Reds. He also played for Girondins de Bordeaux before returning to Slavia Prague in 2007. -
Vladimir Smicer New Czech Republic Manager
Former Liverpool winger named new national coach
Former Liverpool player Vladimir Smicer has been named as the new manager of the Czech Republic’s national side, just a day after he retired from football.
Smicer, who won both the Champions League and Uefa Cup during a successful spell at Liverpool, retired from playing on Monday, due to recurrent health problems.
The 36-year-old, who was capped 81 times for his country, scoring 27 goals, will link up immediately with the national side for a four team tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
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LOOKING BACK AT SMICER'S CAREER
An attacking midfielder, Smicer first shot to prominence in 1996, helping Slavia Prague reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and starring for the Czech Republic during their run to the final of Euro 96.
He moved on to French club RC Lens where he enjoyed more success - inspiring the club to a first ever French title in 1997-98.
Smicer arrived at Anfield in 1999 to join his close friend Patrik Berger on Merseyside.
The midfielder played an important role in the Reds' treble-winning triumph of 2001, operating on the flanks or behind the front two.
However, undoubtedly his high-point in a red jersey came in the Champions League final of 2005 in Istanbul - his final Liverpool appearance.Coming on as a substitute for Harry Kewell against AC Milan, Smicer scored the Reds' second goal as Rafael Benitez's side dramatically came from 3-0 down to level the scoreline at 3-3 in six magnificent second-half minutes.
He also kept his nerve to net Liverpool's deciding penalty in the shoot-out before Jerzy Dudek's historic save from Andriy Shevchenko.
It was sweet reward for Smicer, who had returned to action in February 2005 having missed most of the 2004-05 season after a knee operation.
Having signed off from his Liverpool career in the best possible style, Vladi departed for Bordeaux as a Kop legend. -
to me, he's not bad..
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he's one i really like alot.
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Pei fu u
his goal against AC Milan -
the old liverpool team was so much more inspiring.. smicer, berger, hamamn, owen + fowler.
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not to forget heskey
i miss liverpool's former gk, westervale? i dont know how to spell..