Italian Marco Rossi installed as men’s national team coach in Hungary

Former Budapest Honvéd coach Marco Rossi has taken over the reins of Hungary’s national team after the previous incumbent George Leekens left the employment of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) by mutual consent.

The Hungarian men’s national team continues to move forward with qualification for the 2020 UEFA European Championship their main aim.

The spine of the team which should be capable of competing for progression until the end of the qualification campaign will need to become apparent during the competitive matches of this autumn’s Nations League so the new coach’s task continues to be the building of a competitive team and the development of young players.

This year, the national team had played four matches under the leadership of veteran Belgian coach George Leekens, who had taken the role of head coach late last year, but positive results weren’t forthcoming and there seemed to be no decisive development in the team’s game.

Although there were certain times in these games when their play was acceptable, overall it wasn’t tangible that any clear steps forward were being made in the team’s performances which could show that the team’s spine and style of play was being formed ahead of the Nations League competition which starts in September. Neither the youthful nature of the side, nor the shaping of a style of play had progressed as earlier envisaged. On the basis of this, the MLSZ Executive Committee has agreed with George Leekens on the termination of his contract, while thanking him for his efforts until now and continuing to acknowledge his technical diligence in terms of preparation and his qualities as a person. The Belgian coach will not be seeking compensation.