Chennai: Chennaiyin FC have announced on Sunday (August 30) the appointment of Csaba László as head coach for the 2020-21 season. He has more than two decades of coaching experience at club and international level and this will be the 56-year-old Romania-born Hungarian’s first stint in Asia. László joins CFC at a momentous time as the club completed six years on August 28.
“I am incredibly proud and happy to become the Head Coach of Chennaiyin FC. It is my privilege to join the club on its completion of six successful years. I believe Chennaiyin is a close-knit family-like club that chases excellence with absolutely passionate fans by its side at all times. And I’m so happy now to be a part of this family. Together with my coaching staff, we will do everything possible to take Chennaiyin to greater heights,” László said after penning the deal.
László brings with him a wealth of know-how, having coached in eight countries, including at the helm of two national teams. Lauded by his peers as a fantastic coach, man-manager and a highly experienced tactician, his objective is to galvanize the team to a third Indian Super League title while playing an attractive brand of football.
He is also helped by the fact that the squad’s core is intact, with 11 Indian players already retained from last season’s squad, and the effective Brazilian duo of defender Eli Sabiá and creative midfielder Rafael Crivellaro also continuing. A central midfielder by trade, László’s playing career comprised a host of clubs in Romania, Hungary and erstwhile West Germany before he was forced to retire due to a knee injury at the age of 27.
Head Coach Csaba Lászlò is here! 🔥 💙 #WelcomeLaszlo #ChennaiyinFDFS
— Chennaiyin FC 🏆🏆 (@ChennaiyinFC) August 30, 2020
Courtesy – Team Kabali pic.twitter.com/yvGIOisNHf
László’s early coaching career included a spell at the Borussia Mönchengladbach B team, where he oversaw the discovery of several future stars, most notably German international and FIFA World Cup bronze medalist Marcell Jansen.
His proficiency to develop and nurture young talent at the Bundesliga club earned László a move to work as an assistant to German World Cup-winning legend Lothar Matthäus at the Hungary national team. He also became head coach of Hungarian giants Ferencváros during that period, where he won the 2005 Hungarian Coach of the Year award.
He then assumed the role of Ugandan national team boss, whom he took from 167 to 97 in the FIFA world rankings. Uganda enjoyed their best spell in 24 years under László, almost qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations. He has also served as head coach of the Lithuanian national team.
László then made the switch to Scottish top-flight side Heart of Midlothian (Hearts), whom he elevated to 3rd in the standings and secured qualification to the inaugural UEFA Europa League. His last coaching stint was at Romanian club Sepsi OSK.
