Adolf Patek

Who was Adolf Patek?

Adolf Patek was an Austrian footballer and football manager.

He began his playing career in 1916 with Wiener Sport-Club. In 1919 his team reached the Austrian Cup finals, but was defeated by SK Rapid Wien 3-0. Along with Karl Jordan, Patek joined DFC Ústí for a short period before moving to DFC Prague. He quickly became known for his ability as a striker and was poached by rivals Sparta Prague. Joined by Pepi Horejs, whom he had played alongside in Vienna, Patek was part of the Sparta side which won the Czechoslovak championship in 1926 and 1927. He additionally played with Sparta in their defeats to Wien in the 1927 and 1930 Mitropa Cups.

Following the Second World War, Patek transitioned into a coaching career, beginning as an assistant in the Austrian Football Association before joining FC Bern from 1947-49 as a coach and trainer. From September 1949 until May 1953, he coached the Luxembourg national football team before coaching Karlsruher SC, where he reached his greatest success as a coach, in 1955 leading that team to win the DFB Cup. In the following season, KSC qualified for the final round of the German Cup, ultimately falling to Borussia Dortmund.