Former Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer has announced his retirement.

The former Kop star has decided to hang up his boots after a spate of injury problems at Slavia Prague.

"I am not able to help Slavia on the field. I can no longer give it 100 percent," he said.

"My head and my heart want me to carry on but my body says no."

Smicer will now succeed Ivan Hasek as national coach in his homeland following their failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

The winger made 184 appearances for the Reds during a six-year spell at Anfield between 1999-2005, scoring 19 goals.