Life
Beyond
Beyond
the Field
From the streets of Pilsen to the world's greatest stadiums — and far beyond. A story of football, hockey, music, education, business, and leadership.
From the streets of Pilsen to the world's greatest stadiums — and far beyond. A story of football, hockey, music, education, business, and leadership.
Finishing a top-level sports career doesn't mean you stop being an athlete. It means finding a new path — one that moves you again. In body and in mind.
When old roles fade, space opens up for new ways of thinking — about yourself, your strengths, and what you can offer beyond the field. And suddenly, the questions arise: Who am I without it? What defines my worth?
"I remember how we used to chase the ball between the apartment blocks from morning till night."
Sport was a natural part of our life in our family. I played both football and hockey, but I was always drawn to the goalpost. Back then, I had no idea I'd one day stand in the world's greatest stadiums — I just knew that when you love something, you have to give it everything.
"First match among the pros? A huge challenge — and a turning point."
I joined the league as a teenager and quickly realized that physical training wasn't enough — it's all about the mindset too. I remember a long run without conceding a goal, but what I value most is how it brought us together as a team. Records are nice, but the team is everything.
"Rennes was the beginning of my journey beyond the comfort zone."
A foreign language, a different culture, a new locker room — everything was new. But it was this very experience that taught me how to grow as a person. I learned to speak, to listen, and to understand that success can't be achieved alone.
"When I look back, what I value most are the relationships and experiences that were built at Chelsea."
I came to Chelsea with humility and a desire to achieve something. But the most important things I took away weren't the trophies — they were the experiences and the relationships. Every match, every season taught me something new — about myself, the team, pressure, and responsibility.
"Wearing the national jersey was never something I took for granted. It was always an honor."
Every match for the national team meant more to me than just another stat in my career. It was about responsibility — to the people who believed in us. We always played as a team, and for me, that was the purest form of belonging — to the locker room and to the whole country.
"When I came to Arsenal, I knew I wasn't just coming to play — I was coming to share what I'd learned."
After years at Chelsea, it was a big change — but one I embraced with respect. I felt a responsibility not just for my own performance, but for supporting the team in a broader sense. At Arsenal, I learned how important it is to lead quietly.
"The end of a playing career is an emotional moment… but it also opens new doors and brings new challenges."
At Chelsea, I had the opportunity to be part of the club's sporting strategy — to see football from a different angle, to make decisions, and to think long-term. Watching the team win the Champions League, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup from the other side was strange — but beautiful.
"After years in football, I went back to something I never got to fulfill as a kid — becoming a hockey goalie."
I started from the bottom, in the lower British league, with no expectations. Just with the same excitement I had as a kid. Step by step, I made my way up — appearing in the UK's top league with the Belfast Giants and joining a Chicago Blackhawks training session. The courage to start again, to be a rookie, to learn.
"I've always believed there's still so much to discover — even after a sports career. You just need the desire to keep learning."
The MBA at the University of Dublin wasn't just a school — it was a space to pause, reflect, and gain perspective. It wasn't until I started studying that I began to see decision-making, leadership, and work organization from a new angle. Education isn't about gaining new information — it's about learning to ask better questions.
"Some people run. Some meditate. I sit behind the drums — and everything goes quiet :)"
Music was never about perfection for me. As a goalkeeper, you need focus, reflexes, and a quiet mind — and honestly, drumming isn't that different, just a bit louder. Playing at Rock for People, at the O2 Arena during Miro Žbirka's concert, was incredible. And jamming with Roger Taylor from Queen? That's the kind of moment you can't plan.
"Instead of planning a football game, we're planning a cycling race. The tension's still there — just in a different form."
Together with my partners, we organize sporting events for the public — including L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France. Even here, it's all about preparation, teamwork, and getting the big day just right. Some things remain the same — it's about people, trust, and doing something that truly makes an impact.
"I don't want to tell people what to do. I want to show them what they're truly capable of."
After years in top-level sport, I've realized that experiences matter most when they're shared. Together with my team at THE PLAYBOOK HOUSE and with Luboš Kastner and Jiří Panuška from BC21, we founded GLOW21 — a project designed to help people grow, discover their own leadership style, and succeed in whatever they do.
