Czech mate for Fury coach

Former Czech international Frantisek "Franz" Straka has held out a class field
believed to include dumped Brisbane Roar mentor Frank Farina to be appointed the new
North Queensland Fury coach.
Fury interim CEO Archie Fraser confirmed Straka, 52, had agreed to a one-year deal
with an option to stay following the 2011 season, replacing founding coach Ian
Ferguson.
Reportedly a friend of Sydney FC's Vitezslav Lavicka, Straka enjoyed a seven-year
international playing career including the 1990 World Cup campaign before the
defender turned to coaching in 1999.
He managed top flight Czech clubs such as Sparta Prague and also coached teams in
Germany, Slovakia and Greece.
Straka took over his country's coaching reins in 2009 but was dumped after one game
by Czech FA boss and former national teammate Ivan Hasek despite claiming a 1-0 win
over Malta.
The likes of Farina and even former Socceroo Paul Okon had been mentioned as chances
for the Fury role but Fraser said Straka was the No.1 candidate once his resume
arrived.
"In terms of candidates, he was clearly a standout for us," Fraser told The
Townsville Bulletin newspaper.
"Once his CV came through he was very quickly on our short-list and, really, was
pretty much from the start our No.1 candidate."
It is believed Straka will arrive in Townsville on the weekend and take over from
newly named assistant Stuart McLaren next Monday.
The Fury are rebuilding after being saved from collapse when Football Federation
Australia guaranteed to bridge a financial shortfall in April.
It resulted in all 16 of the Fury's player contracts - including that of marquee man
Robbie Fowler - being declared void due to a new agreement that the club run on 85
per cent of their $2.35 million salary cap.
Eight players have since re-signed, while three have found new clubs including
Fowler who has relocated to Perth.