There will be no change of coach at the helm of the Hungarian national football team. This was announced after the Hungarian Football Association (MLSZ) held a board meeting on Tuesday and heard Marco Rossi’s report.
Since the Hungarian national football team lost 2-3 to Ireland and was thus eliminated from World Cup qualification, there has been much speculation about the future of Marco Rossi, whose contract runs until 2030, as reported by Magyar Nemzet. There were also claims circulating around that the Italian coach himself had offered to resign because he no longer wanted to do the job. Others, however, expressed their confidence in Rossi, and more importantly, the players also wanted the national coach to stay.
The MLSZ held its board meeting on Hungarian Football Day, November 25, during which the national coach’s report was heard. The statement released after the meeting indicates that the leadership of the football association also wanted to continue working together.
The association’s board confirmed Rossi, who was appointed in 2018, in his position, hoping that he would bring about a renewal at the top of the team. In his report, the national coach analyzed the year 2025, discussing the phases that fell short of expectations as well as the more successful games. After answering questions from the board, the committee accepted the national coach’s report and assured him of their support. Rossi has led the Hungarian national team in 82 games to date—including six group matches at two European Championships.
The 61-year-old coach, who also has Hungarian citizenship, was appointed coach of the national team on June 19, 2018. Under his leadership, the team has won 37 times, drawn 19 times, and lost 26 times in 82 games.
The team was promoted to Division A in the Nations League, where they managed to stay, and qualified twice for the European Championship.
During the current World Cup qualifiers, Hungary was in contention for advancement throughout, but ultimately finished third in its group of four behind Portugal and Ireland, after losing 3-2 to the Irish in the final round after conceding a goal in the 96th minute. First place would have meant participation in the World Cup, while second place would have meant participation in the playoffs.
Sándor Csányi, President of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ). Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
“Marco Rossi has been coaching the Hungarian national team for more than seven years, we know his abilities and are aware of his values. We see how he deals with experienced players, integrates young players and discovers talented footballers, as he knows the domestic and international environment well,” Dr. Sándor Csányi, President of the Hungarian Football Association, told MLSZ.hu.
We believe that he is capable of generating fighting spirit and focus on the pitch until the very last moment, which is a prerequisite for a successful international performance,”
said the president, adding that the team and staff are expected to reflect this in their performance as early as next season. This renewal would be inconceivable without the self-critical analysis of the past period that the captain presented to the executive committee today.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also responded to the MLSZ announcement on his social media page. The soccer-loving head of government wrote: “Nix ugribugri (English: no back and forth). Rossi is the champion!”
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Via MTI, MLSZ.hu; Featured image: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
