Karel Kula
Birth date10 August 1963 (age 63)
Birth placeTřinec, Czechoslovakia
Height1.81 m
PositionMidfielder
Youthclubs 1Český Těšín
Youthclubs 2Železárny Třinec
Years 11981–1991
Clubs 1Baník Ostrava
Caps 1188
Goals 125
Years 21982–1984
Clubs 2→ Dukla Banská Bystrica (loan)
Caps 219
Goals 20
Years 31991–1992
Clubs 3Stuttgarter Kickers
Caps 328
Goals 36
Years 41992–1995
Clubs 4SG Wattenscheid 09
Caps 459
Goals 43
Years 51995–1996
Clubs 5Železárny Třinec
Caps 539
Goals 51
Years 61997–1998
Clubs 6Baník Ostrava
Caps 621
Goals 60
Nationalyears 11985–1992
Nationalteam 1Czechoslovakia
Nationalcaps 140
Nationalgoals 15
Manageryears 12006–2008
Managerclubs 1Baník Ostrava (assistant)
Manageryears 22009–2010
Managerclubs 2FK Fotbal Třinec (assistant)
Manageryears 32010–2012
Managerclubs 3Karviná
Manageryears 42013–2014
Managerclubs 4FK Fotbal Třinec
Manageryears 52015–2016
Managerclubs 5FK Fotbal Třinec

Karel Kula (born 10 August 1963) is a Czech local politician and former football player and manager. He played as a midfielder and was a general manager of MFK Karviná and FK Fotbal Třinec. In 2023, he became the mayor of Český Těšín.[1]

Playing career

After making his professional debut at the age of 18 for FC Baník Ostrava, with a two-year loan during his spell at the club, Kula played more than 200 official appearances with the club. He won the Czechoslovak Cup with Baník in 2001.[2] At 28 years old, Kula was allowed to leave the country, spending the next four years in Germany, three of those with SG Wattenscheid 09. Although he made his Bundesliga debut with Stuttgarter Kickers in the 1991–92 season, his six league goals (third in the team) were not enough to prevent relegation (in 17th position). At the age of 32, Kula returned to his country, now the Czech Republic. After two years with SK Železárny Třinec, he ended his career with Baník Ostrava in 1998.[citation needed]

Together with his twin brother, Vlastimil, Kula played for the youth national teams of Czechoslovakia including the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship.[3] He debuted for the senior squad against Sweden in June 1985.[3] The following year, in May 1986, Kula scored his first goal during a friendly match against Iceland.[3]

Post-playing career

Kula worked as assistant manager for Baník Ostrava from 2006 until 2008[4] and in the same role at FK Fotbal Třinec.[when?] He became head coach of Karviná in 2010.[5] In March 2012, Kula was replaced as manager of Karviná by assistant Marek Kalivoda.[6] He returned to FK Fotbal Třinec for the 2013–14 season as general manager; his successor was Marek Kalivoda.[7]

Kula became chairman of Moravian-Silesian Regional Football Association in February 2015[8] and mayor of Český Těšín in March 2023.[9]

Personal life

Kula is married to a woman named Ivana Lipková,[10] with whom he has two daughters.[11] He spends his free time regularly young training footballers in Třinec.[12]

Career statistics

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[13]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Czechoslovakia198550
198683
198770
198840
199040
199182
199240
Total405
Scores and results list Czechoslovakia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kula goal.
List of international goals scored by Karel Kula
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.
129 May 1986Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, IcelandIceland1–02–1Friendly[14]
210 August 1986Western Sydney Stadium, Parramatta, AustraliaAustralia1–03–0Friendly[15]
315 October 1986Stadion Za Lužánkami, Brno, CzechoslovakiaFinland3–03–0UEFA Euro 1988 qualification[16]
46 February 1991Western Sydney Stadium, Parramatta, AustraliaAustralia1–02–0Friendly[17]
516 October 1991Andrův stadion, Olomouc, CzechoslovakiaAlbania1–02–1UEFA Euro 1992 qualification[18]

References

  1. ^ "Český Těšín vede nová koalice, starostou je Karel Kula". Polar.cz
  2. ^ "Baník Ostrava profile". Baník Ostrava. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  3. ^ Nohavica, Jakub (10 August 2023). "Bývalý reprezentant a opora Baníku Ostrava Karel Kula slaví šedesátku" (in Czech). Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Kula je u mužů dříve, než sám čekal" (in Czech). Mladá fronta Dnes. Mafra. 22 June 2006. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Karel Kula" (in Czech). Mladá fronta Dnes. Mafra. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  6. ^ Ruščin, Martin (28 March 2012). "Karel Kula byl odvolán od týmu Karviné" (in Czech). Karvinský a Havířovský Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Kalivoda bude trenérem Třince" (in Czech). Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  8. ^ Uher, Aleš (24 February 2015). "Český Těšín má nového starostu. Rozhodli o tom v pondělí odpoledne" (in Czech). Karvinský a Havířovský Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  9. ^ Januszek, Tomáš (6 March 2023). "Český Těšín má nového starostu. Rozhodli o tom v pondělí odpoledne" (in Czech). Moravskoslezský Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  10. ^ Uher, Aleš (11 August 2008). "Přestup Karla Kuly" (in Czech). Moravskoslezský Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  11. ^ Uher, Aleš (6 October 2007). "Kula: Můj víkend s fotbalem" (in Czech). Karvinský a Havířovský Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  12. ^ Zoubek, Ondřej (10 August 2023). "Velebil ho Nohavica, teď je z legendy Baníku starosta. Rád jsem v běhu, tvrdí Kula" (in Czech). Aktualně.cz. Economia. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  13. ^ 20161
  14. ^ "Iceland vs. Czechoslovakia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Australia vs. Czechoslovakia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Czechoslovakia vs. Finland". National Football Teams. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Australia vs. Czechoslovakia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Czechoslovakia vs. Albania". National Football Teams. Retrieved 25 September 2024.