Rossi and Inguscio awarded Hungarian citizenship

It is more than 11 years ago that Rossi first arrived in Hungary to be named head coach of Budapest Honvéd, where his assistant Cosimo Inguscio was already waiting for him in the dugout. They began to work together for the Hungarian men's national team in 2018 and led their squad to successful Euro 2020 and 2022 Nations League campaigns previous to the country's currently advantageous position in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Rossi has spoken countless times about his special relationship with Hungary and how much he loves the country and its people.

After taking an oath of citizenship in Hungarian, the relevant documents were presented by President of the Republic Katalin Novák at the Head of State's residence in the presence of Minister of Defence also responsible for Sport, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky; MLSZ President Sándor Csányi; MLSZ General Secretary Márton Vági; MLSZ Vice President Sándor Berzi and 12th District Mayor Zoltán Pokorni.

"There have been many moments with Hungary and the Hungarians when I've become sensitive, even though I am not the overly emotional type", Rossi commented to mlsz.hu.

"Today was another of these moments, because the nation, the country that I consider my second home, has officially accepted me. I'd like to thank the Hungarians for the love they show me, as well as the President of the Republic, for allowing me to become a Hungarian citizen under such special circumstances, and of course also to President Sándor Csányi, without whose trust in me I would not have been able to spend so much time in Hungary and become a Hungarian, become a citizen".

Of course Rossi and Inguscio will retain their Italian citizenship in addition to their Hungarian one, but as the latter says, they cannot value one above the other.

"It is incredible for us that we can now sit on the bench of the Hungarian national team as Hungarians. I don't think I have to say how much we both love Hungarians and Hungary, so we are very confident that we can bring as much joy to the Hungarian people as possible! Like Marcó, I would also like to thank everyone who contributed, even in the tiniest way, to the fact that tonight we can rest our heads as Hungarian citizens".

Marco Rossi and Cosimo Inguscio will next take charge of the national team on Saturday 14 October when Hungary host Serbia in the Puskás Arena in Budapest.