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Dominik Szoboszlai may be the poster boy for Hungary’s new era, but by far the most-loved member of the team is the man in the dugout. There will be better-known coaches at Euro 2024, and many more successful, but when it comes to the most adored and respected by their fanbase, Marco Rossi is in a league of his own.
The Italian had a steady but slightly unremarkable career as a defender, amassing just shy of 100 Serie A appearances while winning the Coppa Italia with Sampdoria in 1994 alongside world-class forwards Roberto Mancini and Ruud Gullit. Now, with the pair well out of the limelight, it’s Rossi’s time to shine, and the signs are that he could do so very brightly indeed in Germany.
Rossi’s Path to Prominence
Having struggled to make an impact in Italy’s lower leagues at the start of his career, Rossi first moved to Hungary as a punt in 2012 and has since become a beloved figure in the country. He led Budapest Honved to their first Hungarian top-flight title since 1993 in 2017 before moving on to FC DAC 1904, further ingratiated himself into Hungarian culture.
Rossi’s profound links with Hungary and his impressive performances with both Honved and DAC led to his appointment as the national team manager in 2018. Under his guidance, Hungary qualified for Euro 2020, despite being drawn into a group of death with eventual champions France, Germany, and Portugal.
“Rossi’s profound links with Hungary and his impressive performances with both Honved and DAC led to his appointment as the national team manager in 2018.”
In the 2022 Nations League, Hungary once again faced a tough group, this time with England, Italy, and Germany. However, Rossi’s squad delivered, beating England twice, including a record 4-0 drubbing at Molineux, and also taking down Germany in Leipzig. This success has continued, as Hungary blasted through their Euro 2024 qualifying group with five wins and zero defeats in eight games.
A Proud Milestone
The ultimate honour also arrived for Rossi, as he and his assistant Cosimo Inguscio were given Hungarian citizenship in October 2023, ensuring the proud footballing nation would once again have Hungarians on their bench for the first time at an international tournament since 1986.
With a Euro 2024 group that is far easier to conquer than ever before, Hungary could well make as big an impact on the championship as Rossi has on them.
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