Ludek Miklosko was back at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground recently to talk about his life after football, the Czech Republic and of course his beloved Irons.
The 1991 Hammer of the Year is now working for a sports agency looking after up-and-coming Czech players after leaving the club as goalkeeping coach in March 2010, but still keeps a keen eye on the goings on in East London. He was delighted to see West Ham not only return to the Premiership, but make an impressive start to the season.
"I have not seen any games yet but I have seen the results, which have been fantastic," said 'Ludo', whose name was sung regularly during the 2-1 win at QPR. "It is great for the club to be back in the Barclays Premier League. It is where they need to be and I am very happy that they are doing well. Hopefully after a very good start they can continue to play well throughout the season and finish in the top half."
Miklosko also hailed the impact of Jussi Jaaskelainen, after the Hammers' new No.22 produced another fine display to help his side win at Loftus Road.
The Finland international is now 37, but having played until the age of 39 himself, Miklosko believes that talent is the only attribute that should matter when it comes to goalkeepers.
"He is a fantastic goalkeeper who has proved it in the Premier League over the course of many years. He has great experience and it is so far proving to be a great move for him. I think that sometimes as a goalkeeper, age isn't important. It all depends on how he is feeling and if he is feeling well he can continue to play for a few more years."
Like many professional footballers, Miklosko was faced with the question of what to do next after retiring, but after a spell in coaching he admitted he is simply happy to still be involved in the game.
His recent visit to his old stomping ground saw the 50-year-old keeping tabs on former Hammers stopper Marek Stech, who is now with npower League One side Yeovil Town.
"I am working for a sporting investment agency which tries to find young talent in the Czech Republic. I am looking after the goalkeepers who have already signed and they are why I am in England. I am just happy to still be working in football, which for me is the most important thing."
Czech stars Miklosko, Stech, Jan Lastuvka, Petr Mikolanda, Tomas Repka, Pavel Srnicek and Radoslav Kovac have all represented West Ham in recent years and the big man 'from near Moscow' believes there could soon be more to come.
"Hopefully we will see more Czech players come and play for West Ham in the future, especially younger players whose development would be aided by coming to England."
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