 Rossi in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Marco Rossi[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1964-09-09)9 September 1964 (age 61) | ||
| Place of birth | Druento, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Hungary (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1983–1984 | Torino | 2 | (0) |
| 1984–1986 | Campania | 61 | (7) |
| 1986–1987 | Campania Puteolana | 26 | (3) |
| 1987–1988 | Catanzaro | 38 | (3) |
| 1988–1993 | Brescia | 164 | (10) |
| 1993–1995 | Sampdoria | 25 | (1) |
| 1995–1996 | América | 17 | (2) |
| 1996–1997 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 15 | (0) |
| 1997–1998 | Piacenza | 24 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Ospitaletto | 23 | (1) |
| 1999–2000 | AC Salò | 24 | (0) |
| Total | 419 | (27) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2004–2006 | AC Lumezzane | ||
| 2006 | Pro Patria Calcio | ||
| 2007–2008 | Pro Patria Calcio | ||
| 2008–2009 | Spezia Calcio | ||
| 2010 | Scafatese | ||
| 2010–2011 | Cavese | ||
| 2012–2014 | Budapest Honvéd | ||
| 2015–2017 | Budapest Honvéd | ||
| 2017–2018 | DAC Dunajská Streda | ||
| 2018– | Hungary | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Marco Rossi (born 9 September 1964) is an Italian and Hungarianfootball manager and former professional footballer who is the current manager ofHungary's national team.
His greatest achievement as a player was winning theItalian Cup withSampdoria. After retirement in 2000, Rossi became a manager at various clubs throughout Italy from 2004 to 2011, most notablySpezia Calcio. In August 2012, he took up the position of head coach ofBudapest Honvéd FC where he served in two spells. In 2017, he signed a two-year contract withFC DAC 1904 and since 19 June 2018, he has served as the manager of the Hungary national team.
As a coach, he won the 2016-2017Hungarian Football League title with Budapest Honvéd and finished third in the2017–18 Slovak First Football League with DAC 1904. He has also coached the Hungary national team to qualification forUEFA Euro 2020 andUEFA Euro 2024.
Growing up in the Torino youth academy, with whose Primavera team he won an Italian Cup and a Viareggio Tournament, he made his Serie A debut in the 1983-1984 season in Torino-Ascoli (0-0) on March 18, 1984. He moved on to Campania, where he remained three seasons in Serie C1. In 1987 he moved to Catanzaro, newly promoted to Serie B: the Calabrians, in their first year in the division, missed promotion to Serie A by one point, and Rossi was a starter in defense.
In 1988 he moved to Brescia, where he played five consecutive championships, gaining promotion to Serie A in 1992. In 1993, after the relegation of the Rondinelle, he moved to Sampdoria for 2.5 billion lire, and remained there for two seasons in the top division; at this juncture he was included in the FIFA 97 video game database with the highest rating in the game, corresponding to 97. When his contract with the Genoese club expired, at the age of 31, he moved abroad, first to Mexico to América, then to Germany to Eintracht Frankfurt.
In 1997 he returned to Italy to end his professional career at Piacenza, with which he won salvation in Serie A in a season conditioned by repeated injuries. He played three seasons in the amateurs, one with Ospitaletto (relegation to Eccellenza due to last place) and two with Salò (in Eccellenza Lombarda).
Initially, he worked for lower Italian teams.
Then from August 2012 he was appointed as the coach ofBudapesti Honvéd FC. In his first season, he took third place with Honvéd in theNemzeti Bajnokság I. However, he was no longer as successful in the following season, so on 28 April 2014, Rossi resigned from his position.[2]
On 7 February 2015, Rossi was appointed as the coach of theNemzeti Bajnokság I clubBudapest Honvéd FC for the second time in his career.[3]
AlthoughBudapest Honvéd FC was not the most financially stable club of theNemzeti Bajnokság I, Rossi won the2016–17 Nemzeti Bajnokság I after securing their trophy against their rivalVideoton FC in the last round of the season. The last match was won by Honvéd 1–0 at theBozsik Stadion,Budapest, Hungary.[4]
After winning the2016–17 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season withBudapest Honvéd FC, Rossi resigned as the manager of Honvéd by saying that:
I've become a champion, so I will have a chapter in the history book of this fantastic club. I've done my job, which is a beautiful job, and as they say, you have to stop at the top. I will do no different.[5]
Rossi was chosen the best manager of the2016–17 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season.[6]
In 11 June 2017, it was announced that Rossi would sign forFC DAC 1904, a Slovakian football club, for two years plus an option for one more year. The club is strongly supported by theHungarian minority in Slovakia. The team plays in theSlovakia First League.
In the final round of the season, DAC beatRužomberok 4-0 away from home to secure their place on the podium, while Rossi led another team to theEuropa League qualifiers after bronze medallist Honvéd.
On 19 June 2018, Rossi was announced as the new manager of theHungary national football team. He replacedGeorges Leekens.[7]
In 2018, András Gáll's book about Rossi's years spent with Honvéd entitledMarco Rossi: Olasz meló Magyarországon (Marco Rossi: The Italian Job in Hungary) was published.[8]
He debuted as the new coach of Hungary on 8 September 2018 againstFinland in the2018–19 UEFA Nations League series.[9] In the2018–19 UEFA Nations League edition, Hungary finished second in their group; thus, they were promoted to the2020–21 UEFA Nations League B. Hungary could beat Greece at theFerencváros Stadion on 11 September 2018.[10] However, Hungary lost to Greece 1–0 on 12 October 2018 at theOlympic Stadium (Athens), Greece.[11] In the last two rounds, Hungary beat Estonia 2–0,[12] and Finland 2–0 at home.[13] Since Greece lost to Estonia at home,[14] Hungary finished second in their group and their chances to qualify for theUEFA Euro 2020 remained alive.
In theUEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, Hungary finished fourth in their group. On 21 March 2019, Hungary lost to Slovakia 2–0 at theAnton Malatinský Stadium,Trnava, Slovakia.[15] However, Hungary beat2018 FIFA World Cup Finalists Croatia on 24 March 2019 at theFerencváros Stadion 2-1[16] In June 2019, Hungary beat Azerbaijan and Wales. However, in the decisive match against Slovakia, Hungary lost again 1–2 at home.[17] On 19 November 2019, Hungary went to Wales to win their last match and qualifiy directly to the Euro 2020. However, Hungary lost 2–0 to Wales.[18] Thanks to the results reached in the2018–19 UEFA Nations League C, Hungary were given the chance to qualify for their Euro 2020. In theUEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs, Hungary were drawn in Path A along with Bulgaria, Romania, and Iceland. In the first match, Hungary beat Bulgaria 3–1 on 8 October 2020 at theVasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria.[19] Since Romania lost to Iceland at theLaugardalsvöllur,Reykjavík, Iceland, Hungary could play at the newly-builtPuskás Aréna in Budapest.[20] One day before the national team's decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers play-off match against Iceland, Rossi was tested positive forCOVID-19.[21] On 12 November 2020, Hungary qualified for theUEFA Euro 2020 by beating Iceland 2–1 at home.[22][23]
In the Euro 2020, Hungary failed to progress from the group stage, yet it impressed with an outstanding performance against three powerhouses Portugal, France and Germany, only losing 0–3 to the Portuguese after eighty minutes and drawing both France and Germany in the process.
In the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League B series, Hungary played againstSerbia,Russia, andTurkey. Surprisingly, Hungary won their group by beating Turkey twice and Serbia once. Hungary beat Turkey 1–0 at theNew Sivas 4 Eylül Stadium, Sivas, Turkey on 3 September 2020.[24] Hungary also beat Serbia at theRed Star Stadium,Belgrade,Serbia on 11 October 2020.[25] On the final match day, Hungary beat Turkey 2–0 at the Puskás Aréna on 18 November 2020.[26]
In the2022–23 UEFA Nations League series, Rossi's Hungary were drawn in one of the most difficult groups includingItaly,England, andGermany. Nevertheless, Hungary finished second in the group and beat England twice and Germany once in 2022. Hungary beat England 1–0 at home in the Puskás Aréna on 4 June 2022.[27] Ten days later, Hungary beat England 4–0 at theMolineux Stadium,Wolverhampton, England.[28] On 23 September 2022, Hungary beat Germany 1–0 at theRed Bull Arena (Leipzig),Leipzig,Germany.[29] In the last round, Hungary could have qualified for the finals; however, they lost to Italy at thePuskás Aréna on 26 September 2022.[30]
On 31 October 2022, a detailed interview with Rossi was published byNemzeti Sport entitledSuccess in Hungary has changed my life.[31] During the interview, it was also leaked that a film would be created on Marco Rossi coaching the Hungarian national team.[32] A week later, on 8 November, Rossi said thatBalázs Dzsudzsák deserved a farewell match so he invited him to the squad againstGreece.[33] The match was scheduled for 20 November, where Hungary beat Greece 2–1.[34]
On 16 November 2023, Hungary secured their qualification to theUEFA Euro 2024 on top of theirGroup G, following a 2–2 away draw againstBulgaria.[35]
On 15 June 2024, Hungary lost 3–1 toSwitzerland[36] and on 19 June 2024 toGermany (2–0).[37] However, Hungary could win their last group match againstScotland thanks to a late goal by Rossi's substitution,Kevin Csoboth.[38] Since Hungary was ranked as the second worst third placed team could not qualify for the knock-out stage.
On 27 June 2024, Rossi said that he had not enjoyed any moments of the UEFA Euro 2024 in a press conference.[39] He also said that it is very difficult to think about the future at that time.[40] His statements at the press conference caused uncertainty about his future as the coach of the national team. However, on 3 July 2024, it was confirmed bySándor Csányi that Rossi remained the coach of the national team.[41]
On 9 May 2025, he renewed his contract valid until 2030.[42]
The year 2025 was not the most successful for Rossi. In March 2025, Hungary lost twice againstTurkey 6–2 on aggregate in the2024–25 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs. In June 2025, Hungary lost toSweden 2–0 in a friendly match at home[43], while beatAzerbaijan 2–1 away.[44] Hungary started the2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches inDublin at theAviva Stadium against theRepublic of Ireland. The match ended with a 2–2 draw. The second match againstPortugal was lost in the last ten minutes when twoLiverpool players,Szoboszlai andKerkez, misunderstood each other resulting in a decisive final goal. The match ended with a 3–2 victory for Portugal.[45] In the third round, Hungary hostedArmenia and beat them atPuskás Aréna 2–0. A couple of days later, Hungary drew with Portugal inLisbon at theEstádio da Luz 2–2. In the final rounds, Hungary beat Armenia away 1–0. In the last round, Hungary could have reached the play-offs by drawing against the Republic of Ireland. Although Hungary were winning the match by 2–1 in the 70th minute, Ireland equalized the result and in the extra time scored their winning goal.[46] Finally, Hungary finished in the third position; thus, being unable to reach at least the playoffs.
On 25 November 2025, his position as the coach of the national team was confirmed by the head of theHungarian Football Federation,Sándor Csányi.[47]
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| AC Lumezzane |  | 1 July 2004 | 15 March 2006 | 72 | 19 | 21 | 32 | 68 | 90 | −22 | 026.39 |
| Pro Patria Calcio | | 22 June 2006 | 12 December 2006 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 31 | −15 | 025.00 |
| Pro Patria Calcio | | 17 April 2007 | 10 June 2008 | 46 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 53 | 47 | +6 | 030.43 |
| Spezia Calcio | | 10 June 2008 | 17 June 2009 | 40 | 25 | 10 | 5 | 68 | 31 | +37 | 062.50 |
| Scafatese | | 21 January 2010 | 11 May 2010 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 12 | +3 | 035.71 |
| Cavese | | 5 August 2010 | 15 February 2011 | 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 28 | 27 | +1 | 028.00 |
| Budapest Honvéd |  | 1 June 2012 | 28 April 2014 | 86 | 36 | 18 | 32 | 137 | 113 | +24 | 041.86 |
| Budapest Honvéd | | 7 February 2015 | 31 May 2017 | 95 | 45 | 18 | 32 | 149 | 104 | +45 | 047.37 |
| Dunajská Streda |  | 11 June 2017 | 19 July 2018 | 39 | 21 | 10 | 8 | 63 | 25 | +38 | 053.85 |
| Hungary | | 19 June 2018 | Present | 83 | 38 | 19 | 26 | 114 | 101 | +13 | 045.78 |
| Total | 520 | 215 | 134 | 171 | 711 | 581 | +130 | 041.35 | |||
Sampdoria
Budapest Honvéd FC
In an interview, he said that his friend, an Italian restaurant (Millennium da Pippo) owner in Budapest, convinced him to ask the owner of Budapest Honvéd, George Hemingway, in 2011 if they are interested in hiring him. Next year, he was employed by Honvéd as the coach.[50]
On 3 October 2023, he became a Hungarian citizen.[51] During the ceremony, the formerPresident of Hungary,Katalin Novák, was also present.[52] In an interview withWorld Soccer, he said that he will be grateful for Hungary until the end of his life.[53] In an interview withNemzeti Sport, he said that Hungary is his second home.[54]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Hungary squads | |||||||
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