Former SK Slavia Praha defender František Dřížďal lives an unusual post-playing life in Sokolov, balancing youth coaching with breeding 21 emerald tree boas, Seznam Zprávy reported. Nearly two decades after helping the club reach the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2007, Dřížďal reflects on an improbable career path that took him from amateur kitchens to European football’s biggest stage.

From School Kitchens to the Champions League Group Stage

Before pulling on the red-and-white jersey of Slavia, Dřížďal spent his twenties working mornings in school and industrial canteens, waking up at 5:30 a.m. to cook in large pots before training in the afternoons. Operating as an amateur until age 26, the Horní Slavkov native eventually caught the attention of second-tier club Sokolov. By 2007, he joined Slavia Prague, quickly earning the nickname “Forrest Gump” from supporters for his relentless running down the left flank.

He debuted in European competition before ever playing a top-flight domestic match in the Czech First League. Dřížďal featured in the qualifying rounds against Žilina and Ajax Amsterdam, helping secure Slavia’s historic first-ever qualification for the Champions League group stage. In the tournament proper, he provided the assist for Tijani Belaid in a 2–1 victory over Steaua Bucharest at Strahov Stadium on September 19, 2007—a result that remains Slavia’s lone victory in the competition proper.

Chasing History and Breeding Amazonian Serpents

While current Slavia squads attempt to snap a winless streak in the Champions League spanning 21 matches and nearly 7,000 days under manager Jindřich Trpišovský, Dřížďal spends his days managing local football administration and maintaining exotic reptiles. According to Seznam Zprávy, he currently keeps 21 emerald tree boas (Corallus caninus) in heated terrariums at his home, naming his animals after characters from the fantasy television series Game of Thrones, including Eddard, Catelyn, Jon, and Arya.

His collection once numbered up to 60 snakes, including a three-meter, 12-kilogram boa constrictor, but he scaled back due to feeding costs and maintenance demands. Reflecting on his time in professional football, where he collected two Czech league titles in 2008 and 2009 and made 52 top-flight appearances before finishing his career at Zbrojovka Brno, Dřížďal remains grounded in his routine as youth vice-chairman and U-14 coach at Slavia Karlovy Vary.

Next Fixtures for SK Slavia Praha

Slavia Prague continues its quest to break its long-standing Champions League winless run in upcoming continental fixtures. Supporters and players alike await the next opportunity on the European calendar to secure a victory that has eluded the club since the autumn of 2007.