Prague, Dec 4 (IANS): Pavel Vrba, Czech league coach of the year in the past three seasons, has been appointed the new national coach with a four-year contract, the executive committee of the Czech Football Association (FACR) announced.

All the 12 executive committee members present voted in support of Vrba, said FACR spokesman Ondrej Lipa Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

The FACR will sign a four-year contract with a two-year extension option with Vrba, who formally takes over the team Jan 1 next year, replacing Michal Bilek.

FACR chairman Miroslav Pelta was trying to convince Vrba to take the post for some time. Vrba refused the offer at first, but he finally agreed to take up the challenge.

Vrba, 49, has worked with Czech top flight team Viktoria Plzen since 2008, leading the team twice to the Champions League and two national titles. Vrba was named the Czech coach of the year in the past three seasons.

The Czech national football team will play a friendly against Norway March 5, 2014, which will be their first match under Vrba.