The Latvian Football Federation (LFF) has announced the return of Czech coach Jakub Dovalil as the new head coach of the Latvia U21 national team. Dovalil, who previously worked with Latvia’s youth teams from 2019 to 2023, will officially take charge on March 1, with his contract running until the end of the 2026 UEFA European U21 Championship qualification cycle.
Dovalil boasts extensive experience in youth football, having spent over a decade coaching Czech national youth teams from U16 to U21. Under his leadership, the Czech U17 team won silver at the 2006 UEFA European Championship, while the U19 squad secured bronze in 2008. He also guided the Czech U21 team to two European Championship finals, finishing fourth in 2011.
During his time in Latvia, Dovalil led the U19 national team to the UEFA Elite Round three times. His squads included future senior national team players like Raimonds Krollis, Eduards Dašķevičs, and Deniss Meļņiks.
Now, Dovalil will oversee the next generation of Latvian footballers at the U21 level, with his first challenge being the UEFA 2027 U21 Championship qualifiers. The group stage draw is set for February 6, after which the team’s path to the tournament will become clear.
Source: Latvijas U-21 izlases vadīšana uzticēta labi pazīstamajam Dovalilam