Former Czech national coach Jozef Chovanec has taken over as coach of struggling reigning Slovak champions Slovan Bratislava, the club confirmed on Thursday.

The 54-year-old former Czechoslovak international midfielder replaces fellow Czech Frantisek Straka, who was sacked following a series of losses.

"Jozef Chovanec has signed a contract until June 2015 with an option to extend," club spokesman Tomas Cho told AFP.

"I've always liked a challenge," said the former Sparta Prague and PSV Eindhoven player.

Slovan Bratislava have won the national title 12 times, including eight since Slovakia gained independence in 1993.

But the club have gone seven matches without a win including Europa League losses to Swiss side Young Boys and Napoli.