Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has revealed that if he eventually steps away from frontline politics, he would like to work at the football academy he founded, while also spending more time with his six grandchildren and returning to teaching.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Hungarian tabloid Blikk following his speech at the Bálványos Summer Open University in Baile Tușnad (Tusnádfürdő), Orbán discussed his political future, reflected on his election defeat earlier this year, and shared rare details about his personal ambitions beyond public office.

“I’ll stay as long as I can”

Asked how long he intends to remain at the helm of Fidesz, Orbán said his departure would depend on both his own abilities and public support.

“As long as I can, and as long as people don’t say the old man has become too tired to give advice and would be better off staying at home.”

He added that although such a moment may eventually come, he believes he would be able to accept it when it does.

Football academy and grandchildren

Looking beyond politics, Orbán said retirement would not mean inactivity. He pointed first to his family, noting that he already has six grandchildren and hopes for more in the future. His second priority would be the football academy he established.

“There is a football academy that I founded. If I could, I would gladly work there.”

The remarks refer to the Puskás Academy, founded in Felcsút, which has long been one of Orbán’s flagship sporting projects.

Teaching remains a passion

Orbán also said he still enjoys teaching and expects to continue giving lectures in the future. He revealed that he previously taught several classes as a guest lecturer at the Reformed University for one semester but never accepted a full-time academic position.

“My mother was a teacher,” he said, explaining that he finds satisfaction in helping younger people understand the world better. Rather than traditional university lectures, however, he envisages speaking at public events and international engagements.

“I’m certain I will teach again. I have something to say to young people.”

Why he stayed out of Parliament

Orbán also explained why he chose not to take up a parliamentary seat after Fidesz lost the general election. He said he had originally planned a gradual leadership transition within the party by 2030, but the election defeat accelerated those plans.

According to Orbán, he believed he could have a greater impact by working behind the scenes rather than participating in parliamentary debates, arguing that meaningful dialogue with the country’s new prime minister would not be possible.

Instead, he said younger politicians should take the lead in parliamentary confrontations while he focuses on rebuilding and supporting the party from outside the chamber.

Lessons from defeat

Reflecting on the election result, Orbán admitted he had underestimated the need for generational renewal before the vote. He suggested he should have recognised earlier that younger voters were no longer responding to him as they once had, saying that leadership renewal should perhaps have begun sooner.

Despite the setback, he insisted defeat represents “the beginning of something else” rather than the end, adding that he believes productive work should continue regardless of political success or failure.

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A passion for sailing

Away from politics, Orbán also spoke about his growing enthusiasm for sailing along Croatia’s Adriatic coast. He described discovering the country from the sea as “love at first sight” and said he prefers small sailing boats and wild anchoring in secluded bays rather than luxury yachts and marinas.

His long-term dream, he added, would be to explore the entire Mediterranean coastline by sea, following the routes of ancient Greek and Roman civilisation.

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