Playing at sweeper as the team reached the 1990 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, Kocian was voted the country's player of the year in 1990.

Kocian began his coaching career with Czech side Petra Drnovice before moving to the German Bundesliga clubs Rot-Weiß Erfurt and Sportfreunde Siegen.

On 8 December 2010, Kocian was appointed head coach of the Chinese Super League team Jiangsu Sainty[1] On 28 June 2011, Kocian was announced as the Hong Kong First Division League team South China AA's new head coach.

In spring of 2022, he returned to his native Zlaté Moravce to manage local Fortuna Liga club FC ViOn and aid in avoiding relegation in 2021–22 season.

In early October, Kocian came to terms of release with ViOn Zlaté Moravce for medical reasons.