György Sándor takes on role of U21 national-team assistant coach

Gera's team have automatically qualified for the 2021 Under-21 European Championship as tournament joint-hosts and now the man in charge, who was officially placed in charge of the team last month, has turned to Sándor to be his right-hand man. The two former international teammates know each other well from the pitch and also completed their MLSZ A and B coaching courses together.

"I know from experience that Gyuri lives his life in a very professional way", Gera told mlsz.hu.

"During the course of our coaching courses, it became apparent that we have very similar views when it comes to football, our approaches are similar and as people we get on really well. He's just finished his playing career too so I think it'll be a great help to me that the players take their work seriously but at the same time the atmosphere amongst the squad will be good".

György Sándor made his NB I debut in 2003 for Újpest before representing Győri ETO, Videoton FC and Puskás Akadémia in Hungary's top division and then moving abroad to play in England, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia and Australia. Sándor has wound down his career at Hungarian 2nd division club Csákvár over the last two years having earlier become Hungarian champion in 2011 and 2015 with Videoton FC, during which period ge also played in the 2012 UEFA Europea League. Overall, Sándor made nine appearances for the Hungarian national team.

"Perhaps I don't need to say that I've always regarded Zoli very highly. It is beyond doubt that he has been one of the most outstanding Hungarian footballers in recent decades, so it is a huge thing for me that he's approached me to fill this role", Sándor admitted. "Moreover, to work for the success of Hungarian football is the biggest honour a person can be given, whether as a player or as a backroom staff member. That's why I'm very grateful to Zoli Gera and the MLSZ for putting their trust in me, which I would like to repay using my strength and knowledge and to show I am worthy of it. The task of course brings with it a huge responsibility too, but I'm sure that, under the guidance of the national-team head coach and with the help of the backroom staff, the team will be successful".

Meanwhile, Zoltán Gera continues to add to his backroom staff and once this process is complete, the full list will be published on www.mlsz.hu.