Ipswich Town: Vaclav Hladky exits - A look back on his time at Town

SIGNED TO START 

Vaclav Hladky arrived as part of Paul Cook’s drastic ‘Demolition Man’ rebuild in the summer of 2021. 

Following on from Wes Burns, Lee Evans, Rekeem Harper and Macauley Bonne, he was the fifth of 19 new faces through the door as Ipswich Town geared up for a third successive season of League One football. 

Aged 30 at the time, Hladky’s career had seen him play for more than a decade in his native Czechia, become a fans’ favourite at Scottish club St Mirren before enjoying a fine debut season at Salford City. 

Town paid an undisclosed fee for a player who had just been named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year and picked up the Golden Glove award for 22 clean sheets. 

Vaclav Hladky arrived at Ipswich Town from League Two club Salford City. (Image: ITFC)

With Tomas Holy among those instructed to look for a new club, and both David Cornell and Adam Przybek having departed, it looked like the starting spot was his. 

“Ipswich Town is a huge club so it was a quick decision,” he said. "I share the vision of the club and I can't wait to get started.” 
 
Blues boss Cook added: "The goalkeeper is such an important position on the pitch and once again our owners have backed us with this signing. He will have a massive part to play for us next season. This is another part of the jigsaw that we are putting together.” 

OUSTED EARLY 

Hladky started the opening five league games of the campaign as new-look Ipswich failed to beat Morecambe, Burton, Cheltenham, MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon.  

There was the odd nervy moment from Town’s new keeper, but that was understandable given he was playing behind a different central defensive partnership almost every game. You certainly couldn’t pin the blame for 10 goals conceded all on him. 

Then, a day before transfer deadline, Cook signed keeper Christian Walton on loan from Brighton. The pair had worked together previously at Wigan. 

Vaclav Hladky climbs over George Edmundson to claim the ball early in his Ipswich career. (Image: Steve Waller)

Walton went straight into the team, but was part of a 5-2 home humbling by Bolton. Hladky quickly reclaimed his place, helped the team get their first win (and clean sheet) of the season at Lincoln and then chopped past a couple of defenders during the 6-0 thrashing of Doncaster under the Portman Road lights. His confidence seemed to be growing. 

A more difficult afternoon at Cambridge in mid-October, when high balls were the issue in a 2-2 draw, was the excuse Cook needed to put Walton back in though. From there, Hladky was restricted to EFL Trophy action, with an exit to Arsenal’s U21s in that competition playing its part in Cook’s surprise early sacking. 

Hladky started Kieran McKenna’s first game in charge, a 1-0 home win against Wycombe, after Walton tested negative for Covid. Walton was put straight back in the team for the subsequent 4-0 win at Gillingham though, with Ipswich making his loan deal permanent during the January transfer window. Hladky warmed the bench for the rest of that season. 

“That was not an enjoyable time for my football,” he reflected, in an exclusive interview with the EADT and Ipswich Star in September last year. “There were lots of things going on behind the scenes from a personal point of view. We had a new baby. My missus was in Manchester, I was here. I was trying to be with them as much as I could.  

“It was hard. When you’re new at a big club you expect there to be a warm welcome from the lads who have been here ages, but there wasn’t that here. Everyone was new. It was basically a whole new squad trying to settle in properly and get to know each other on and off the pitch.  

“Obviously the start wasn’t great for anybody. I didn’t play well. Then the new coaching staff brought in Christian. I’m not going to lie, I was disappointed by that.” 

Vaclav Hladky (left) says Ipswich Town appointing Kieran McKenna (right) as manager was when things turned around for him at Portman Road. (Image: Steve Waller)

CLOSE TO DEPARTING 

That summer, it looked like Hladky, whose family had enjoyed living in Glasgow, might be returning north of the border. 

Aberdeen, managed by his former St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin, enquired as to whether he was available on a free transfer, but Ipswich said they wanted a fee in excess of £100k. 

Town had a list of potential replacements lined up, including boyhood Blues fan Sam Walker (then at Kilmarnock), but Aberdeen ended up signing Kelle Roos from Derby. 

Other clubs showed interest in Hladky, but he opted to stay. The main reason, he says, was the manager. 

“Kieran McKenna and his staff coming in was the turning point for me mentally,” he reflected. “Everything changed when they arrived. Completely. Absolutely completely. Since then I’ve been enjoying every day.

“They just create an environment here where all the squad – all 25 players – are enjoying their role. Even if people are not playing regularly, they are happy here.” 

Vaclav Hladky admitted he was frustrated sitting on the bench for the best part of two seasons. (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

LOW MINUTES, HIGH PRAISE 

Walton, in impressive form, started all 46 league games as Town secured League One promotion in 2022/23. Hladky, meanwhile, made nine starts across three cup competitions. 

Ahead of an FA Cup fourth round clash with Championship leaders Burnley in January, he said: "It's always a hard job to be the number two goalie. Unfortunately we didn't go through in the EFL Cup (losing 1-0 at home to Colchester in the first round). That's something that hurt me because all of a sudden I lost games that I could play. 

“It's not easy. I want to be on the pitch, I want to be part of the team every single game and play my part in the success. But I have to deal with it.  

“I'm just glad to be part of the big team, the big club and I'm trying to contribute as much as I can. It is what it is. Only one person can play. It's about having the mindset to really push yourself and try to impress the staff and give them a message saying that you want to be on the pitch. 

"I'm just buzzing when I can play under Kieran McKenna because his style of play is something that just really suits me.” 

McKenna added: “Vas has been great, I have to say, both on and off the pitch. In the cup games he has played in, I think he has been really, really good. As he has said himself, the style of keeper he is suits the team. I don’t think there are many better in English football with his feet than Vas."

Bouyed by those words, Hladky impressed in the subsequent 0-0 home draw against the Clarets. Blues defender George Edmundson enthused: “He’s made some great saves and is brilliant with his feet. Everybody knows that and he got man-of-the-match today and deserves it.” 

When Town secured promotion with a 6-0 demolition of Exeter City, McKenna brought Hladky on for Walton in the 83rd minute. 

“We wanted to take the chance to get Vas on the pitch today as a symbol of what he’s given to the group all year,” said McKenna. 

“I spoke to him yesterday about his performances against Burnley and Rotherham in the FA Cup and how that was a big part of the season. Those games came at a time of the season when it was winter and we’d had some tension about how we were playing. For us to go toe-to-toe with a team at the top of the Championship in terms of building from the back over two legs, that was a big confidence booster.” 

Vaclav Hladky makes a fingertip save in a 1-1 hom draw with Middlesbrough back in April. (Image: Steve Waller)

TAKING HIS CHANCE 

On August 4, just two days before the start of the Championship season, it was revealed that Walton had suffered a tear to the plantar fascia in his foot and would be out for ‘months rather than weeks’. 

Ahead of the opening day trip to Sunderland, McKenna said: “Any team would miss Christian's qualities, but Vas has been terrific for us and he's got his own qualities and his own strengths that he brings to the team.” 

Hladky made a superb save late from Dan Neil as Town clung on for a 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light. That proved to be a sign of what was to come. Week-after-week he made crucial stops at vital times as Town won seven of their opening eight games back in the second-tier. His ability to calmly play through the press also kickstarted some superb team goals too, a fine example coming in the 3-0 home win against Hull. 

When Walton was fit again come early October he couldn’t get back in. Hladky may have had a few heart-in-mouth moments and the odd costly error along the way, but the reward of his brave playing style far outweighed the risks over the long-run. 

Vaclav Hladky's ability with the ball at his feet was a major part of Ipswich Town's playing style. (Image: Ross Halls)

During the latter stages of the campaign, he produced massive saves in the gritty 1-0 win at Blackburn and tense home draws with Watford and Middlesbrough. For me, he was in the team’s top three performers of an incredible promotion-winning campaign alongside Sam Morsy and Leif Davis. 

Twelve months on from Hladky’s symbolic sub appearance against Exeter, it was roles reversed as Walton was brought on during the promotion-sealing win against Huddersfield at Portman Road. 

STRANGE EXIT 

Heading into the January transfer window, Scottish giants Celtic were reported to be interested in Hladky as he moved towards the final six months of his Portman Road contract. 

His agent Martin Stepanovsky publicly responded, saying: "We have some teams registering enquiries, which is understandable given Vaclav's performances, the position of Ipswich and the expiring contract, however, the priority is to agree on an extension and advance to the Premier League." 

Hladky himself admitted that it was ‘nice’ to have suitors, but repeatedly insisted he wanted to extend his time at Ipswich. In April, he said: “I want to carry on here because it’s a massive club and I’m so happy coming here every day. I want to stay here, for sure. Hopefully we can find a way to get it done.” 

Vaclav Hladky has left Ipswich Town after failing to agree a new contract. (Image: Stephen Waller)

When Ipswich announced their retained list last month, it was said that the club was still in negotiations with Hladky over a new contract. It still seemed a case of when, not if that would get concluded. 

Over the following weeks though, the Blues were linked to several goalkeepers in the national media. Then last week, Hladky did an interview with Canal+ Sports back in his home city of Brno. He said: “There’s been a slight change in the situation because the negotiations have been tough going and not exactly the way we were expecting them to play out. 

“I was there in person on June 10th and sat down with the manager (McKenna). We had a long chat and laid our cards out, how he sees things, how he sees my role next season, and the upshot of that was that he definitely wants me to stay. 

“He was a little surprised how the club is engaging with my manager. I would say the difference is that the coaching staff and I are of like mind, but we can’t find common ground with the club.” 

On Monday, Town’s players returned for pre-season training and Ipswich formally announced that Hladky had left the club upon the expiry of his contract. That came as a shock to many.

Vaclav Hladky celebrates making a big save in the 1-0 win at Blackburn on Good Friday. (Image: PA)

WHAT NEXT? 

Ipswich need a new goalkeeper as they prepare for life back in the Premier League. 

Will Walton reclaim his place between the sticks and a fresh recruit act as back-up? It’s not impossible. We shouldn’t forget how good the Cornish custodian was before last season. There was a time when Brighton were ready to give him a shot in the top-flight before injury stuck there. Then again, McKenna may want someone who is better with their feet.  

Will a new No.1 arrive, with Walton remaining on the bench? Or might Walton push for an exit and leave Ipswich needing to sign at least two new keepers? We’ll see. Carl Rushworth (Brighton) and Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbache) are among those who have been linked, while fans have speculated about the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool) and Michael Cooper (Plymouth). There are some good options out there. 

Where Hladky ends up next will be interesting. He’s 34 in November. No-one can begrudge him trying to maximise his earnings at this stage of his career. Filling the boots of the retired Joe Hart at Celtic would be a good move, though the Glasgow club have been heavily linked to Newcastle and Slovakia’s Martin Dubravka. 

Will he regret not taking the chance to play Premier League football? Will Ipswich regret not trying harder to keep someone so in tune with their playing style? Hopefully it works out well for both parties. 

One thing’s for sure, Hladky will forever be remembered as a key player in the team that ended Ipswich Town’s 22–year absence from the Premier League.