SIX weeks ago, Vaclav Hladky was dreaming of facing Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and the rest of Liverpool’s superstars in a Premier League curtain-raiser at Portman Road.
A permanent fixture in the Ipswich side that completed a fairytale rise from League One to the top-flight last season, it was roundly assumed that negotiations over a new contract would be a formality.
But they weren’t. May ticked into June. Pre-season loomed. Then, on the first day of July, the bombshell dropped.
Hladky, a fan favourite whose ball-playing qualities proved so integral to Kieran McKenna’s short-passing style, had rejected the Tractor Boys’ final offer.
“It was a painful decision, obviously,” admits the 33-year-old, who joined Burnley a fortnight later having shunned several clubs in his native Czechia.
“For me personally. Also for my family and friends. They all expected me to be playing in the Premier League. They were so excited about coming to games and watching me on TV.
“But things didn’t work well for me. I had some long, long conversations with the club and the manager. Tough conversations. I talked a lot with my family and the people I trust.
“It was hard, you know? The Premier League… that is where everybody wants to be. It is a dream to play there. For me also. But in the end I made a decision with a clear head and I was happy.”
Happy
The precise motivation behind that decision remains unclear, but considering Hladky arrived at Portman Road in 2021 via St Mirren and Salford, he is unlikely to harbour the sort of nest egg that would guarantee a comfortable retirement.
If Hladky sought a life-changing contract in the twilight of his career, nobody could be grudge him, and Ipswich fans certainly didn’t.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 11, 2024 من The Football League Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 11, 2024 من The Football League Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
FUMING GRANT'S BLAST PAYS OFF
CHOICE words from Grant McCann at half-time did the trick as Doncaster Rovers came back to secure a point against classy Notts County.
BOSS MARTI'S ON A MISSION TO RESCUE R'S ALL OVER AGAIN
ARTI Cifuentes proved he was up for a challenge when he took the manager’s job at QPR just over a year ago.
HUSTLE FROM RUSSELL NETS DERBY SPOILS
HEAD coach Darrell Clarke praised goalscorer Jon Russell as his Barnsley side earned all three points in a home victory over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
DAVIES AGONY AS BLUES BLOW IT
ADEJECTED Chris Davies gave a bleak assessment of his Birmingham City side’s draw against Northampton Town.
WARNOCK: ONLY A GAME? IT'S LIFE OR DEATH IN SHEFFIELD!
JUST another game? Don’t pull that one on Neil Warnock, a Sheffield native, boyhood Blade and managerial veteran of nine Steel City derbies.
BISHOP AT THE HEART OF POMPEY WIN
COLBY Bishop’s spectacular return after heart surgery was a well-kept secret, said Portsmouth manager John Mousinho.
ACE VAKOUN CLEANS UP FOR THE HORNETS
VAKOUN Bayo took the plaudits once more after his goal sunk Oxford on Friday.
ANDI'S AT DOUBLE TO SPARK AWAY JOY
BLACKBURN Rovers boss John Eustace believes his team gave a text-book performance to get a first away win of the league season at Cardiff.
COV CATCH BLACK CATS NAPPING
SUNDERLAND head coach Regis le Bris was frustrated his players couldn’t build on two moments of first half magic that should have seen off managerless Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.
FARKE: WE HAVE THE WINNING MENTALITY TO STAY COURSE
Pressure mounts on Hoops manager
