Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad, through his company Palatua a.s., is entering FC Viktoria Plzeň. Today, the company signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in FC Viktoria Plzeň, a.s., the owner of the club. The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the Czech Competition Authority (ÚOHS). Adolf Šádek will remain chairman of the board of directors of the company and the key manager of the club. This is a private investment by Michal Strnad, not by the industrial and technological group CSG, which he also owns. Therefore, FC Viktoria Plzeň, a.s. will not become part of this group.
Palatua a.s., a company 100% owned by Michal Strnad, is purchasing the stake in FC Viktoria Plzeň, a.s. from the current owner, the Austrian company FCVP GmbH. Adolf Šádek will retain a minority share, as will Swiss businessman Martin Dellenbach. The transaction price has not been disclosed.
Michal Strnad states: “Viktoria Plzeň is a club with a rich history and immense significance for the city of Plzeň and the entire region. It is an honor for me to become part of this football story and to build on the excellent work the club has done in the past. I want to assure all fans that my goal is for the club to remain consistently among the top of Czech football and to be a regular participant in European competitions. I also recognize the importance of partnership with the city of Plzeň and its local government, with whom we will continue to closely cooperate on the development of football in Plzeň.”
However, the new owner’s priorities are not only focused on top competitions. Strnad adds: “It’s not just about top-level football. My ambition is to provide maximum support for the Viktoria Plzeň football academy. I believe that the future of Czech football lies in youth, and Viktoria can certainly play a key role in this. My goal is not short-term success, but the long-term sustainable development of the club, both in sporting and economic terms. I want Viktoria to be not only a football club but also a strong brand that inspires young players and representsPlzeň and Czech football at home and in Europe.”
Adolf Šádek will remain chairman of the board and the club’s key manager, whom the new majority owner sees as a guarantee of leadership continuity and in whom he places full trust. Strnad says:“I personally value Adolf Šádek. Thanks to him, Viktoria Plzeň managed to overcome the crisis it was in three years ago. Viktoria is fortunate to have such a strong personality in its leadership. The chairman of the board will continue to hold full responsibility for the management and further development of the club, regardless of the change in majority ownership.”
Adolf Šádek comments: “I am happy that Viktoria Plzeň is gaining a strong Czech majority owner who has built a global industrial group with strong roots in the Czech Republic. A new chapter of Plzeň football is beginning. I look forward to the partnership with Michal Strnad.”
Minority shareholder Martin Dellenbach, a current board member, adds: “Together with the new shareholder and Adolf Šádek, we will continue to strategically develop Viktoria Plzeň with a clear focus on systematic talent development and economic sustainability. I am very pleased that we can build on the previous progressive period and take another step toward a successful future for the club.”
Both parties to the transaction ask the media, football fans, and the public for patience. Until the transaction is approved by the Czech Competition Authority (ÚOHS), no further information about the deal or subsequent steps will be released.
About Michal Strnad
Michal Strnad is the owner and CEO of the global industrial and technology group CSG. The group delivers technologies worldwide that contribute to a safer and more stable future. CSG focuses on the development and production of strategically important products, systems, and technologies in the fields of defense, aerospace, automotive, and other industries. Michal Strnad has led the group since 2013 and became its sole owner in 2018. Under his leadership, CSG has transformed into a global player, a leader in the production of small- and large-caliber ammunition, and a significant developer and manufacturer of land systems for armed forces and fire brigades. Key members of the group include Czech land systems producer Excalibur Army, Czech automaker Tatra Trucks, Slovak ammunition manufacturer MSM Group, U.S. small-caliber ammunition producer The Kinetic Group, and Czech radar manufacturer Eldis. CSG employs more than 14,000 people across its integrated and affiliated companies. CSG’s revenues in 2024, including The Kinetic Group for the full year, reached EUR 5.2 billion, with consolidated revenues of EUR 4 billion. Alongside CSG’s growth, Michal Strnad is active in supporting sports and the non-profit sector. The group recently became a partner of the Czech Olympic Team. In 2024, the CSG Foundation was established, focusing on supporting volunteer firefighters, talented students, and employees’ non-profit activities. In autumn 2024, CSG donated 12 Tatra vehicles to Czech firefighters to help deal with the aftermath of floods.
About FC Viktoria Plzeň
FC Viktoria Plzeň is one of the most successful Czech football clubs. Over the past fifteen years, it has won the league title six times and has qualified four times for the prestigious UEFA Champions League, where it has faced giants such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. In its modern history, the club has played more than 150 European matches and has made a significant mark in both the Europa League and the Conference League, where it reached a historic quarterfinal. Viktoria players regularly appear for national teams across virtually all age categories. The club is closely connected to the city of Plzeň and the wider region. It enjoys a large fan base and plays its home games in the modern Doosan Arena, which is typically sold out for home matches. Viktoria Plzeň places great emphasis on the training and development of young players – both boys and girls – within its youth academy, which has recently built modern facilities and is already seeing its graduates succeed in the first team. The club also prioritizes CSR activities, striving to help and bring joy where it is needed.
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