“We’re pleased to officially announce the appointment of our new head coach. I’d like to welcome Brian back — he knows exactly what kind of environment he’s coming into. I firmly believe he will build on the successful work from the past, get the players back on a winning track, and once again help Sparta win trophies,” said František Čupr, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors at AC Sparta Praha.
Between July 2022 and June 2024, Priske oversaw 96 competitive matches, averaging 2.19 points per game. His tenure included a run to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, highlighted by a 4–1 home victory over Galatasaray Istanbul in the knockout stage.
Following his departure from Sparta in the summer of 2024, Priske took over as head coach of Feyenoord Rotterdam. He led the Dutch side in 33 competitive matches, won the Dutch Super Cup, and delivered notable performances in the UEFA Champions League — including a draw away at Manchester City and a home win against Bayern Munich.
Sporting director Tomáš Rosický played an active role in the negotiations regarding Priske’s return. Despite recently undergoing hospitalisation due to heart-related issues, Rosický remained in close contact with the club and worked alongside František Čupr and Tomáš Sivok to help secure the agreement.
“We had a list of coaches from several European leagues and held discussions or meetings with many of them at different stages of the process. In Brian’s case, his knowledge of the environment, the club’s structure, and his previous success played a key role in the final decision,” said Tomáš Rosický, Sporting Director of AC Sparta Praha. “Football brings emotional moments and difficult decisions, but we clarified our parting during the course of the season. After that, it was clear that a coach as successful as Brian had to be on the list of potential candidates.
“We’re continuing with the implementation of our long-term plan for the summer transfer window, which had been prepared in advance. The head coach is now an integral part of this process. Intensive discussions with Brian about the squad and potential reinforcements took place even before today’s public announcement, and everything fits into the long-term vision we have in place,” said Tomáš Sivok, Interim Sporting Director of AC Sparta Praha.
“I’m happy to be back at a place where I was part of something successful. Leaving wasn’t easy, but at the time I was offered an opportunity I couldn’t turn down as a coach. Still, I knew exactly what I was leaving behind — a great club, exceptional people, and an environment that taught me a lot. Now I’m back with at least the same hunger as before — maybe even more. I want to show that the trophies we won together weren’t a coincidence. And I hope we can soon lift another one,” said Brian Priske, Head Coach of AC Sparta Praha.
The full coaching staff will be announced in the coming days. The team will begin pre-season training with fitness testing on June 15, before heading to a training camp in Grassau starting on June 30.
Brian, welcome back to Sparta!
