Straka is considered a Sparta Prague legend in his native Czech Republic and his decision to manage their bitter rivals was met with such outrage from Slavia supporters that bodyguards were hired to protect him on his way to work.

The former Czech international, remembered in Australia for his passion, charm and beige jacket, tried to stick it out but when police warned him ahead of his first derby that his family was at serious risk, he decided to quit.

“I came back from Australia and I got an offer from Slavia Prague,” he said. “If I can explain to you, Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague, it is like Celtic and Rangers.

“The first day at Slavia Prague, it was like a small war. The people hated me. The fans did everything they could, I go out and they started attacking my private zone. They attacked my house.

“I had bodyguards if I travel from my house to the stadium. Can you imagine this? This is unbelievable. Every day I fear if something happens or not, if they attack my daughter or my wife.

"It was a really bad time for me.”

Straka played more than 200 times for Sparta and also briefly managed the club he said he “belongs” to, a history Slavia's supporters didn't soon forget despite positive results early in his reign after the club sacked a previous manager in October last year.

“The players stood behind me. I didn't have any problems with them. But every game was the same, 'we hate you, we kill you'.

“In the winter break I talked with my family about whether I should continue. I did, and it was much worse than before. I had hoped that maybe after the winter break it would be better since we played so well.

“Two days from the derby the police came to me and said: 'Franky, it would be better if you quit. We don't have control of the situation, we can't save you, we can't save your family.'

“They start these attacks against me and my family and I said 'no more'. I said thank you very much but never again. I belong to Sparta Prague and that's it. It was a very bad time.”

In a twist of fate, the nightmare never would have eventuated had Fury not folded in 2011.

Straka reflected positively on his time in North Queensland and again questioned the FFA's decision to wind up the club.

“It was a fantastic time in Australia,” he said. “It's not like here in Europe. I had never been to the tropical zone and experienced that style of living.

"The fans and the atmosphere were fantastic. My family also enjoyed it. Townsville is so special and the people were so easygoing. They say 'take it easy Franky' if you lose a game.

"The pressure wasn't huge like it is in Europe. They say 'keep smiling Franky. Next week we will win'.

“It was also a good experience with the football. I was surprised by the quality. We had a good team but we needed more time.

“I was very upset about the situation when they closed the club. The people were so happy to have the A-League in Townsville. I hoped so much we would stay there.

“I worked with Robbie Middleby on the next season. A lot of players wanted to go to us. It was surprising, we had a list full of names.

"I was so happy when we started talking about the next season. Everybody wanted to stay and build a better team so it was a pity we couldn't do it.

“It was so hard for everybody to stop working. The players, the coaches, the people about the club, everybody asked:'What happens now?'

“How can you close the club? How is this possible? What can the coach say to the players? 'So boys, we close here, everyone can find a new club.'

“It was the ideal club for young players. It was especially hard to tell them we had to stop.”

Straka retains a strong fondness for Australia and said would gladly return down under as he now waits for a new offer to emerge.

He added: “I spent a lot of time with my family and they helped me be fit for the next job.

"I hope this opportunity comes soon, I don't know if it will be here or abroad. Maybe I'll come back to Australia...”