In at the deep end: The World Cup managers short on preparation

June 10 : International managers often complain about limited preparation time, so spare a thought for the recently appointed coaches arriving at this World Cup, some mere weeks into the job and often without a single competitive game in charge of their side.

In a footballing world short on sentiment, leading a nation through qualification is no guarantee of being on the bench at the tournament itself, a reality that reshaped several teams' World Cup preparations.

Carlos Queiroz comes in with the least amount of games with his team, but brings a wealth of experience to the Ghana role.

Queiroz, who replaced Otto ​Addo on April 13, heads into his fifth consecutive World Cup. The 73-year-old missed Ghana's friendly defeat to Mexico in May due to personal reasons, and his sole game in charge was last week's 1-1 draw with Wales.

Saudi Arabia manager Georgios Donis was appointed 10 days after Queiroz, replacing Herve Renard who took Saudi Arabia to the last World Cup where they beat eventual winners Argentina.

Donis has had three friendlies to gain familiarity with his side, the most recent a 0-0 draw with Senegal.

Unlike Queiroz, 74-year-old Miroslav Koubek had zero international experience when his country came calling. Koubek was appointed Czech Republic manager in December following Ivan Hasek's dismissal after defeat to the Faroe Islands.

Koubek faced a baptism of fire. His first games in charge came in the qualification playoffs, where the Czechs came through penalty shootouts against both Ireland and Denmark.

He is unbeaten as Czech boss, winning two recent friendlies against Kosovo and Guatemala ahead of their first World Cup since 2006.

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