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Sport

United on track to keep Jitka

January 24, 2012
United on track to keep Jitka

Canberra United is confident it can walk into contract negotiations with coach Jitka Klimkova today and meet the list of demands to keep her in the W-League next season.

Capital Football boss Heather Reid will meet with Klimkova at 9am at their Deakin offices to try to finalise an agreement to re-sign the Czech Republic mentor. Klimkova's decision is expected at midday.

Reid took a risk signing the previously unknown coach last August and Klimkova has repaid the faith by leading United to an unbeaten season and a home grand final this Saturday against the Brisbane Roar.

Klimkova has expressed her desire to return to the capital, but only if Reid can tick the boxes on her coaching checklist (right). The demands focus on providing better facilities for her team, but also on her own accommodation.

''It's not about the money or the playing roster or staff, it's about the culture of a football environment which we're starting to build here,'' Reid said.

''I'm a fair way down the track with these things and it's going to come down to her trusting me like she did when I made her the initial offer [last year] and I trusted her.''

''While I might not be able to tell her I've got everything locked in, I'm advanced in our discussions and confident it can all be sorted.''

United's lack of a home base is the biggest thing Klimkova wants to change. United was forced to swap between seven different training venues this season.

Reid is trying to strike a deal with the AIS to gain more access to its world-class facilities in a package worth around $14,000.

Reid hopes she can reach a sponsorship agreement with the institute to reduce the costs.

''We run on a shoe-string budget so I've got to try to keep costs to an absolute minimum,'' Reid said.

''I'm going to support Jitka as best I can with getting the best training facilities, access to the pool and gymnasium.''

Tickets for the grand final go on sale from 9.30am today, with only 180 grandstand seats available. Capacity for McKellar Park is set at 2400, tickets can be purchased from the Capital Football office.

This reporter is on Twitter: @blockadutton