OTHER He was the Czech powerhouse in midfield, the workhorse among the graceful footballers at Anderlecht. Jan Polák arrived in 2007 from 1. FC Nürnberg and remained a key figure in the purple and white midfield for six seasons. Tactically strong, tireless, and always serving the team. But what happened to the likeable Czech after he left the Astridpark?
BacktoGermany In 2013, at the age of 32, Polák returned to Germany, where he had played before. He signed with VfL Wolfsburg, although his time there was limited. A year later, he moved back to 1. FC Nürnberg, the club where he had previously made a name for himself. There, he found playing time again, but his absolute peak form was gradually behind him. Between 2015 and 2018, he played for FC Slovan Liberec in the Czech Republic, the club where he originally began his career. This brought his journey full circle, and in 2018, at the age of 37, he decided to end his active playing career.
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Continue reading Andafterthat? After retiring, Polák chose not to pursue a career in coaching or stay involved in professional football. He lives a notably modest and private life in the Czech Republic. In interviews, he has expressed his desire to enjoy peace, family, and a life free from constant performance pressure. He resides near Brno with his wife and children.
Yet, he remains connected to football: he occasionally volunteers as a youth coach and is still sometimes invited in the Czech Republic as a guest for football analysis—albeit rarely.
Polák at Anderlecht: underestimated but indispensable Although he was never the flashiest player, Jan Polák is still praised by experts for his balance and leadership on the field. He formed strong partnerships with players like Lucas Biglia and Guillaume Gillet and was one of the reasons Anderlecht performed so consistently during that period. He won four league titles, two cups, and played in multiple European campaigns.
In short: a quiet force who left his mark without much noise.
