A star of the Slovakia side facing England has been tipped to reunite with Arne Slot at his new club Liverpool.
David Hancko flourished under the Dutch manager at Feyenoord, lifting the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup, after a failed spell at Fiorentina. But while the 6ft 2in centre-half and left-back has blossomed relatively late in his career on the pitch, he has long been winning off it.
That’s because the 26-year-old is married to stunning former tennis ace Krystina Pliskova, perhaps best known as the twin sister of ex-world No.1 Karolina. Hancko met Krystina while playing in her native Czechia, during a successful loan spell at Sparta Prague, which was later made permanent.
READ MORE: Referee who disallowed vital England goal at Euros confessed he ‘didn’t see any foul’
READ MORE: England’s Euro 2024 final route – giants avoided plus fixtures, dates and kick-off times
The 32-year-old is now retired, but reached a career-high singles ranking of world No.35, after rising to fame alongside her sister – the 2021 Wimbledon finalist. Krystina, who won one singles and five doubles titles on the WTA Tour, started dating Hancko just before lockdown, and they now have a son together.
Hancko caught the eye in Slovakia’s shock Euro 2024 opening win against Belgium and on Sunday will be tasked with keeping Harry Kane and Co. quiet. Liverpool were first credited with interest in him long before Slot’s appointment at Anfield, with his agent addressing his future in January.
Do you think David Hancko would be a good signing for Liverpool? Let us know in the comments section below
(Image: Getty Images for LTA)
Learn more
Branislav Jasurek, of agency FairSport International, who represent the defender, told TN.cz: “As an agency, we are in contact not only with these two clubs [Liverpool and PSG], but also with others who are looking into David’s situation.
“The people at Feyenoord know that David Hancko will be sold, even in the summer, and maybe better than now. It would have to be one of the big clubs.
“He will certainly not go from Feyenoord Rotterdam, which is going to play in the Champions League, to a club that will play in the second half of the Premier League. It is special about David that he still wants to talk with the coach.
“We believe that in the summer he will choose and choose the best in terms of sports, just like it was with Sparta Prague, which he preferred over other teams. Likewise with Feyenoord Rotterdam, which he preferred over other and more financially lucrative offers.
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: davidhancko/INSTAGRAM)
“If he transfers, it will definitely be great because he will transfer to a big club. But even if he doesn’t transfer, I think that David is happy in Rotterdam and nothing big will happen.”
Pliskova has previously suggested she wouldn’t fancy her husband making the switch to England, for a reason hard to argue against – the weather. “It will be dealt with this summer. Probably only after the championship, but I’m not such an expert,” she told Sportovy.
“I don’t know if it’s up for grabs, but I think he’d like to move on. Actually, we would both be happy. We’ll see what will happen in the end. I’m not complaining, but there are definitely better places. For me, Spain or Italy.”
However, along with his established successful working relationship with Slot, Liverpool have another ace up their sleeve. That’s because the defender is actually a boyhood Red.
(Image: davidhancko/INSTAGRAM)
He previously told Slovakian outlet Aktuality how his love of Britain’s most successful club was inspired by their fifth European Cup win. Hancko said: “It all started with the Istanbul Champions League final in 2005, which my parents allowed me to watch until the end.
“I didn’t have to go to bed even when extra time was going on. And then came [former Slovakia star and Liverpool defender] Martin Skrtel.
“I have been a Liverpool fan ever since. I follow the English Premier League the most, so that is my dream. My role model has always been David Beckham, but I feel most for Liverpool.”