One of the most naturally gifted footballers ever to grace Celtic Park, Lubomir Moravcik, has shared why didn’t pursue a coaching career after leaving the club back in 2002.
Arriving at Paradise as an unknown Slovakian, Moravcik quickly proved to the Celtic fans why Dr Jo Venglos brought him to the club at the ripe old age of 33.
Having enjoyed spells in France and Germany, it was at Celtic where Moravcik’s talents got the media attention they deserved as his arrival in Glasgow was met with derision from the Scottish media.
However, four seasons later with 117 appearances under his belt, the Slovakian’s undoubted skill, 30 goals and 14 assists helped him win two league titles, one Scottish Cup and two League Cups which included Celtic’s first treble since the Jock Stein era.
Moravcik’s absence from coaching explained
Labelled affectionately as a ‘Gift from God‘, Moravcik arrived at Celtic as an unknown quantity but left the club as a legend.
So why did he not decide to continue coaching to pass on his knowledge and skill to youngsters or fellow professionals in the game?
After attempting it once, the former Celtic hero realised that coaching was something he just didn’t want to do.
Moravcik said [DNES print edition page 15], “I don’t have the temperament for it. I wouldn’t know how to sacrifice and give up a normal life.
“Look at Fer Straka, my friend from the national team, how he saved the lost Michalovce in the spring.
“He lives half in Germany, half in Prague and then goes to live in eastern Slovakia to try the impossible.
“Where’s his family? Where is his life? He’s put all his comforts on the line. I don’t want to do this.
“I tried it once, in the autumn of 2008 in Zlaté Moravce. There was no money and I went.”
Although he did dip his toes into coaching for a short spell, it’s a pity that Lubo decided that the role wasn’t for him.
His skill and knowledge of the game would have been priceless for any player to have learned from.
Moravcik is now the Vice President of the Slovakian Football Association but a few things always rankles with me.
Just how good would Moravcik have been if Celtic discovered him just a few years earlier? Would he have helped stop Rangers from winning nine-in-a-row? And would Moravcik been the difference from Celtic winning or losing the 2003 UEFA Cup final if he stayed for just one more season?