Hungary in modern football are compared to the likes of Serbia, Ukraine and many other smaller nations in Central and Eastern Europe with little or no history. Hungary hadn’t qualified for a major tournament in almost 30 years until a few days ago. In fact, there isn’t even a single Hungarian player plying his trade in any of the top 5 European Leagues regularly. But some 50 odd years ago, Hungary were spoken in the same breath as footballing heavyweights like Brazil and England. So what exactly has gone wrong in a country where football was at the forefront of its thoughts.
The Match of the Century
Hungary are one of the oldest teams in world football having played their first FIFA world cup in 1934. Influenced by the footballing school of thought in neighboring Austria, Hungary were disciples of the W-M. In their second attempt at FIFA’s grand prize, Hungary exceeded all expectations losing only to favorites Italy before Hitler decided to wage war. Post World War II, Hungary were transformed to a dynamic and tactically superior team finally emerging out of the shadows from neighbours Austria. The Magyars went on one of World Footballs longest undefeated runs from May 1950 and clinching Olympic Gold in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
In 1953, their impressive form earned them a friendly with England at Wembley where the hosts had not lost a single game since the inception of football. Sebes, the Hungarian coach at the time was facing a certain dilemma – Hungary lacked a strong No.9 who was required to lead the line in a W-M. The resulting tactical switch changed football forever and gave us in terms of modern football, the no 10 or the trequartista (play-maker). Hidegkuti started vs England in the withdrawn position and scored within the opening minutes in front of 105,000 home supporters. England were clueless. Accustomed to the 2-3-5 numbering system, the hosts were caught unaware as to how far European football had come. With England chasing shadows Puskas, Hidegkuti, Bozsik and Kocsis ran riot, Hungary won 6-3 and sent shock waves across the world. England were stunned by their European counterparts. It is said that Hungary were tactically and physically so superior that some consider them the per-cursors to Holland’s total football philosophy. After what came to be known as the Match of the century, the Hungary team who captivated world football came to be known as the Magnificent Magyar’s. Hungary went on to defeat England 7-1 at home the following year before defeating Germany 8-3 in the 1954 World cup group stages. The Magyars unfortunately, missed out on football’s grand prize losing 3-2 to Germany in the final.
The Decline
Hungary exited the group stages in the 1958 World Cup partly due to Soviet occupation back home; the first of many political setbacks in Hungarian football history. Despite their troubles, success in the global stage had not eluded them and Hungary went on to win 2 more gold medals in the Olympics in the 1960’s and finished in 3rd place in the 1964 European Championships. The Hungarians also managed to finish 4th in the last European Championships they took part in 1972. The factors contributing to their gradual decline have been enigmatic and numerous. Politics though surely has been the biggest factor. The end of the Communist rule-proving to be the final nail in the coffin.
With its own ministry, its own minister and government officials, and alas its own budget, sports in Hungary was at a standstill. Economic crisis loomed with education and sports neglected as funds started to pull. Many Hungarian clubs were declared bankrupt and many others in financial turmoil. The 2 political uprisings played a major role in the decline of Hungarian football. Though they recovered once immediately despite losing of a lot of lives, bouncing back from the second setback proved to be more tumultuous.
The Euros
Hungary were placed in a mediocre group alongside Euro 2004 winners Greece, Northern Ireland and neighbors Romania. Having started the campaign rather insipidly with a loss at home to Northern Ireland Attila Pinter was sacked as head coach and replaced by Pal Dardai. A draw away to neighbours Romania followed as things looked rather bleak and uninspiring. 2 consecutive wins followed, but Hungary only managed to score a meager 6 goals in the 8 opening games. The standards at the moment were so low for Hungary that no eyebrows were raised against the coach or the team. Pal Dardai, the coach was expected to lead the team at least until the end of the qualifiers, but his club commitments with Hertha Berlin had the Hungarian board to look in a different direction as they looked to appoint a third coach amidst the qualifying campaign. Storck a German who was technical director of Hungary at the time was appointed an interim head coach with just 4 matches remaining in the qualifying campaign. The Barren run in front of goal continued until their last match of qualifying in which they lost 4-3 to Greece. 3rd place was secured and a playoff awaited. Drawn against Norway, Hungary looked set to miss out on another major tournament as Norway just missed out on Automatic qualification themselves.
Before the playoffs, the temporary manager Storck took a couple of gambles, first he fired the backroom staff and replaced them with a German assistant. And two he called up Laszlo Kleinheisler who had never made an appearance for the Magyars and was playing in the Hungarian 3rd division. Luck and defensive solidity which they had maintained throughout the qualifying campaign helped them to a 1-0 win in the first leg away at Oslo. Kleinheisler had scored giving the nation unlikely hope of qualifying. The 2nd leg much like first proved to be 1-way traffic as the Norwegians bombarded the Hungarian goal and managed to hit the bar once in either half. Coupled with fantastic saves from Kiraly and an own goal from Henrikson 7 minutes from time finally helped settle the tie in Hungary’s favour. Hungary had qualified for Euro 2016 in France.
Once upon a time considered one of the greatest teams in the world, Hungary has literally crawled their way into a major tournament almost 30 years since they took part in one. Puskas and Hidegkuti have long gone and replaced by unknowns like Kleinheisler, Although Hungary have a long road ahead of them, it is good to see footballs’ pioneers back where they belong – among the best Europe has to offer.
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FPL tips: Picked by just 5.8% of the managers, this £11.1m Man City star could be the ideal captain for your team
Raheem Sterling is the ideal differential captain for gameweek 9
As the Premier League returns this weekend so does the headache of selecting your Fantasy Premier League captain. A number of managers might be swayed by Harry Kane’s fixture against West Ham United or Aguero’s home game against Burnley. Eden Hazard will also be a popular option given his current form and United’s torrid start to the season.
But all of these players are highly owned assets in the game and will not provide major differential points for the managers who aim to move up the table in their respective leagues. Picking a differential captain requires courage and the ability to make the right call at the right time.
If picked well, a differential captain is also capable of outscoring the usual suspects. A countless number of times, these captains have turned up on the day when the most-captained stars fail to deliver.
Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne
Here we take a look at an ideal differential captain for gameweek 9 – Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling. The English attacker has continued his fine form under Pep Guardiola this season as well and has been explosive on the front foot.
Given that Manchester City are playing at home, Sterling is almost assured to deliver returns. The 23-year-old has delivered points in all of his home starts this season, scoring a goal at least. He has picked up double-digit hauls in 2 of his last 4 home games as well.
The English attacker also scored for his country during the international break and is in brilliant form going into this game. He is priced at £11.1million but that’s still not as high as Eden Hazard, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero.
Though the Cityzens come up against Tottenham Hotspur next, Sterling then faces a poor Southampton side at home once again. He should deliver returns in both of these games and is a must-have option even if not as a captain. The former Liverpool winger faces Manchester United at home as well after the clash against the Saints.
Read more: Why Man City must sign this teenage midfield gem by hijacking Chelsea’s £20m move
He is still selected only by 5.8% of the managers around the world, which means Sterling is a major differential in the game right now. Those who are willing to take the risk and hand the armband to him could reap the rewards in a few days’ time.
(PS: Player values and stats are based on Fantasy Premier League)
Article
3 ways in which Manchester United can get the best out of their £14million-a-year January signing
Alexis Sanchez
Three ways Manchester United can line up with Alexis Sanchez
Manchester United pulled off quite an unbelievable coup in the January window by securing a deal for Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal. Although the Chilean star was a Manchester City target for a good majority of the summer window, rumours started linking the Red Devils with Sanchez right before the winter window commenced. Even then, it seemed like a rather far-fetched deal since City seemed quite determined to land the attacker.
However, Jose Mourinho beat Pep Guardiola to bagging the signature of Sanchez in what was a straight swap deal with Arsenal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the other player who switched teams. The Armenian failed to get things going at Old Trafford and the move is definitely ideal for him.
Throughout the season, United have lacked attacking intent and with Sanchez in the mix, one can only hope for things to be different, with the remaining half of the season ahead of us. United are still 2nd in the table but in order to finish in the same spot, they need to finish on a strong note. With that in mind, here are 3 ways the Red Devils can line up with £14million-a-year Sanchez in the team.
4-2-3-1 with Sanchez in a wide role
This seems like the most obvious out of all formations. With Romelu Lukaku leading the line, Alexis Sanchez and either Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford can occupy the wide roles while Mourinho alternates between using Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata as an attacking midfielder. The rest of the team would be pretty much the same with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic occupying deeper roles.
Although this is Mourinho’s preferred formation, he might be looking for a change after the terrible way Pogba performed in the deeper role against Tottenham. That brings us to our next option.
4-3-3 with Pogba in a central midfield trio and Sanchez on the left-wing
With Sanchez on the left, either Jesse Lingard or Juan Mata could occupy the same role on the right-hand side. Meanwhile, Pogba would be able to receive better freedom to surge forward if he played in a central midfield trio with probably Matic and Marouane Fellaini. That would boost the attacking force for sure but if needed, Mourinho could also use Ander Herrera to push for a more cautious approach. However, this would see Martial and Rashford find their opportunities extremely limited.
3-5-2 with Sanchez partnering Lukaku up front
This might be the most unorthodox and unexpected formation out of the three but it could work on very specific occasions. Mourinho has used a three-man back line quite frequently during his tenure at Old Trafford and with Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia putting in exemplary displays as wing-backs, there is no reason for him to not consider this. Also, Lukaku’s goals seem to have dried up and if he were to have a presence like Sanchez supporting him, that could remarkably improve his displays.
Everton are in a spot of bother this campaign, after selling Romelu Lukaku for a initial £75 million pounds with £15 million in add-on’s coming in the coming seasons Everton had cash to burn. And they did just that with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri granting Koeman a £150 million war chest in order for the former dutch international now turned manager to compete in Europe following their Europa League qualification.
In the transfer market the Toffees completed savvy business they seemed to spend wisely completing dual deals for English prospects Jordan Pickford (from Sunderland) and Michael Keane (Burnley) on 2 £30 million deals. Not to mention enlisting young Spanish Attacker Sandro Ramirez for £5.2 million pipping Atletico Madrid to the signature, all this without mentioning the return of youth academy product Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) on a free transfer, Davy Klaasan (Ajax) for £23.6 million and the Icelandic midfielder Glyfi Sigurdsson (Swansea) for £45 million.
(Everton have spent big this summer with £150 million worth of investment)
But despite these signings Everton have been lacklustre this season and despite a £150 million investment Everton currently sit in the relegation places in 18th and the widely praised Koeman from last season was axed, currently former Everton player and Under-23’s manager David Unsworth is at the helm of the Liverpool based club.
But while many pundits and fans alike want him to stay despite losses against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and Leicester City in the League with Phil Neville among others backing the former centre-back, but Arsenal Legend Ian Wright is not so convinced.
“If Everton hand him the reins now ahead of time, it could turn out to be the worst move either of them could make. Romanticism is all fine and good but it doesn’t win you points and matches. The Premier League is not like that. If you’re not up to it, if you’re not ready, it chews you up and spits you out, and for Everton it is all about survival.
“If anyone truly believes doing a great job with the Under-23s qualifies you as a Prem manager, they’re sadly mistaken.”
(Current manager David Unsworth could be set to return back down to the Under 23’s following his 2 defeats)
The Everton hierarchy it seems agree with Wright, and they have set their sights on one of Carlo Ancelotti or Thomas Tuchel. The two former Bundesliga managers would arguably be a step up for Everton with Tuchel renowned for his attacking style he deployed at Dortmund and Carlo Ancelotti renowned for his success across Europe, Ancelotti, who is open to a return to the Premier League would be a good fit for Everton but following his dismissal at Bayern has decided to take the rest of the year off.
Meanwhile Tuchel who has been out of work since the summer following his sacking by Borussia Dortmund has also been linked with the vacant Everton job, his brand of attacking direct football would be a welcome change for a Everton team who this campaign have found scoring troubling. But their troubles extend to the back as Everton have the least clean sheets in the Premier League tying at only 1 with Bournemouth.
But while the board set their hopes high with Tuchel and Ancelotti the reality is that they won’t get either, if they fail to get either the Merseyside club will turn their attentions to Sean Dyche and Sam Allardyce. Sean Dyche wants more money to spend on transfers and Everton could be the place for him, with a owner intent on getting Everton to the big time Dyche currently sits as the Bookmakers favourite.
Meanwhile currently retired Sam Allardyce has come out to state that he is considering taking the Everton job, as we have seen with Palace after his sacking at the hands of the English national team he can steer clubs out of rocky waters. But there is a hidden cost of hiring the experienced Englishman with Palace to receive £2 million from Everton if they hire “Big Sam.” The contract with Palace saw the Eagles insert a clause stating they would be due compensation were Allardyce to step into any club job before a certain date, while the date is unclear the compensation fee is set to reduce come January 2018.
(It could be a English manager that takes the helm of Everton with Allardyce and Dyche set to go head to head for the Goodison job)
Everton who currently sit in a woeful 18th need to act fast in order to catapult themselves through the positions, their dire position is a far cry from the dizzying heights they achieved last season finishing 6th and granting them entry into the Europa League (which they are equally doing woeful in). So whatever the Everton board decide they need to so so quickly or £150 million worth of players could decide to leave Goodison park for pastures new.
By Lewis Holman
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