Vladimir Coufal’s Bundesliga resurgence should be an example to follow for all ageing players who – like the former West Ham United and Premier League stalwart – believe they still have a lot to offer.
Was it a case of sporting ‘ageism’ why the 33-year-old Czech Republic international found himself briefly out of contract last summer?
Much to the bemusement of a man who knows Vladimir Coufal better than almost anyone; Tomas Soucek was stunned when West Ham United decided against extending the veteran’s deal.
Which former Hammer would you BRING BACK if you could?
Was letting Coufal go a mistake?
Thanks in part to Hoffenheim’s superb first half of the campaign, plus the alarming performances of a Hammers side suddenly crying out for those willing to lead by example, and the pervading narrative is that Coufal maybe still had a key role to play at the London Stadium.
West Ham United exit has seen Vladimir Coufal hit top form at Hoffenheim
Coufal netted a free-kick against Bayern Munich in September – it took him just four games to score more goals for Hoffenheim than during half-a-decade with West Ham – and the trajectory has been moving steadily upwards since then.
Hoffenheim are fifth, only two points outside the Champions League places.
And, to quote German publication SWR, signing Coufal has proven to be an ‘absolute masterstroke’. Not only because of his defensive qualities and vast nous, but also his creative talents. He is more than halfway to making 2025/26 the most productive campaign of his career on the assist front.
Four of the 21 of the chances he has created from out wide have resulted in goals for his grateful teammates.
Coufal feels fitter than ever in the German Bundesliga
As Kicker write, in the opening paragraph of a mid-season interview with the 2023 Conference League champion, Coufal has ‘surprised everyone, inside and outside’ of the Sinsheim outfit.
The man himself credits a move to Germany, meanwhile, for boosting the already-impressive fitness levels of a player who continues to chug along at a fair pace approaching his 500th club appearance.
“I was quickly convinced by the move to TSG and by the project with many young players,” Coufal says, demonstrating leadership qualities his old employers could have done with in the darkest days under Nuno and Graham Potter.
“I like that. [Helping the youngsters] is why I’m here. We’re building something good, we play good football. And in a successful team, the individual players will also improve. I’m very happy with the development and that people like my style of play.
“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, and fitter than ever. Our coach [Christian Ilzer] is very demanding and challenging. He places great emphasis on the basics of fitness. It’s definitely more strenuous than in England.
“I’ve never trained this intensively before. Maybe in my first year at Slavia Prague, which was similar. If I stay healthy, I’m sure I can play at this level for another two or three years.”
Czech Republic veteran hits back at those who doubted his longevity
Coufal missed out on a move to Fulham a year ago this month, while the likes of Leeds and Everton appeared to get cold feet while shifting their focus to younger targets.
He is too professional and modest to admit it, of course, but Coufal could be forgiven for having a quick chuckle at the expense of those who felt this old dog was ready for the proverbial farm in the sky.
“You’re asking the wrong person. You have to ask West Ham [why they let me go],” he adds, coyly and carefully. “It was very sad for me and my family and very hard to accept because I still felt I could give something to the club and the league. They made that decision.
“It wasn’t so easy to get into the Bundesliga. My agent was in contact with several clubs. But, for most of them, I was too old.”
Another of those Conference League winners, Lukasz Fabianski is approaching the end of his own journey. The glovesman who played 117 West Ham games behind Coufal in the backline is weighing up whether or not this will be his final season as a player, having helped set up a goalkeeping academy back home in Poland.
“I don’t want to kid myself and I am aware that the end is fast approaching,” Fabianski, who will turn 41 in April, tells Sport TVP. “Everything will depend on my health and what happens in the coming weeks.
“I can only control my own performance. Now, I want to get to a point where I’m available to the manager for training and playing. If the moment comes when he decides to choose me, I intend to be ready.”
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