Vitezslav Lavicka was re-appointed as coach of Australian A-League side Sydney FC for the the 2011/12 season, club officials announced on Friday.

The Czech tactician, who won the A-League Premiership and Championship in his debut season in 2009/10, will be in charge of Sydney FC for his third consecutive campaign, club vice-chairman Scott Barlow said.

Lavicka's contract extension comes ahead of Sydney's opening AFC Champions League match against Korea Republic's Suwon Bluewings in Sydney next Wednesday.

It is a very positive decision for the club and allows us to proceed with certainty into the future.
Scott Barlow, Sydney FC vice-chairman.

"We are extremely happy to have secured Vitezslav for the 2011/12 A-League season," Barlow said. "We have the utmost respect for him as a coach and as an individual and it is a very positive decision for the club and allows us to proceed with certainty into the future."

Sydney had a troubled defence of the A-League crown they won last season and missed the top-six play-offs, eventually finishing ninth in the 11-team competition.

"We had a very successful season as a team in my first year at Sydney FC," Lavicka said. "The second season was very tough, in particular the start, but we continued to work hard and we've had a good stretch in 2011."

Lavicka said he would be working in the off-season to bring in some quality players and focus on playing entertaining football.