Jozef Kostelník Remains Head Coach of Tatran Prešov Amidst Fan Discontent

Prešov, Slovakia – FC Tatran Prešov confirmed on Wednesday that Jozef Kostelník will continue in his role as head coach, dismissing recent media speculation regarding his departure. The club appointed the 55-year-old coach on Tuesday, following the resignation of Vladimír Cifranič.

Club Statement and Rejection of Reports

FC Tatran Prešov issued a strong statement defending itself against what it termed “false information” circulating online and in the media. “FC Tatran Prešov emphatically defends itself against false information that appeared in internet discussions in the last few hours and was subsequently spread under the pressure of media speculation. We want to unequivocally confirm that coach Jozef Kostelník remains the coach in Prešov and the club does not see any change in this matter,” the club stated on its official Facebook page. TA3 reported.

Previous Leadership Change and Current League Standing

Kostelník’s appointment came after Vladimír Cifranič stepped down due to a series of unsuccessful results that left Tatran Prešov in a relegation playoff position. Sportnet detailed that Cifranič resigned without requesting any severance pay.

As of March 4, 2026, Tatran Prešov sits in 21st place in the Niké Liga with 21 points from 22 matches, having secured only four wins, nine draws, and nine losses. Their spring season has been particularly challenging, with only one point earned from four games – a 1:1 draw against Komárno, alongside losses to Ružomberok (0:1), Košice (1:4), and Podbrezová (1:4).

Šesták’s Resignation and Past Conflict

The arrival of Kostelník was accompanied by the resignation of Stanislav Šesták from his position as sporting director. This was attributed to a long-standing conflict between Šesták and Kostelník, dating back to a 2017 incident involving verbal abuse towards Šesták’s family. Šport24 reported that the incident resulted in a 2,000 euro fine for Skalica and a six-week suspension for Kostelník.

Despite the past conflict, the club maintains that Šesták supported the decision to appoint Kostelník, emphasizing it aligned with the club’s sporting direction.

Fan Reaction and Club Response

Despite the club’s assurances, some fans have expressed their discontent with Kostelník’s appointment and are calling for Šesták’s return. Šport24 reported that fans view the appointment as a “mockery” of Šesták.

Club president Ľuboš Micheľ and chairman of the board Vlastislav Laskovský have both reaffirmed their support for Kostelník, stating that the decision was made collectively by the club’s leadership.

Niké Liga Standings (as of March 4, 2026)

Z = Matches, V = Wins, R = Draws, P = Losses, B = Points