Sándor Popovics (footballer)
Sándor Popovics (22 June 1939 – 1 July 2019) was a Hungarian-Dutch association football manager and a professional footballer in the position of forward.
| Popovics with Sparta in 1964 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 22 June 1939 | ||
| Place of birth | Keszthely, Hungary | ||
| Date of death | 1 July 2019 (aged 80) | ||
| Place of death | Roosendaal, Netherlands | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1958–1960 | Újpest Dózsa | ||
| 1960–1963 | Fürth | ||
| 1963–1964 | Sparta | 5 | (0) |
| 1964–1966 | FC Zaanstreek | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1970–1971 | Quick | ||
| 1971–1972 | MVV '27 | ||
| 1972–1974 | RFC Rotterdam | ||
| 1974–1976 | Overmaas | ||
| 1976–1977 | Unitas | ||
| 1977–1978 | Xerxes | ||
| 1978–1980 | Barendrecht | ||
| 1980–1981 | SVV | ||
| 1981–1983 | Waregem | ||
| 1983–1985 | De Graafschap | ||
| 1985–1987 | NEC Nijmegen | ||
| 1988–1990 | Cambuur | ||
| 1990–1992 | Excelsior | ||
| 1993–1994 | FC Eindhoven | ||
| 1994 | MTK Budapest | ||
| 1995–1998 | ADO Den Haag (gen. manager) | ||
| 1999–2000 | Verbroedering Geel | ||
| 2002 | MTK Budapest | ||
| 2010 | RBC Roosendaal | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
Club
As a footballer he played for Újpest Dózsa (1958–1960). When in 1960 he played a game in Austria, he defected from Soviet Union-oppressed Hungary.[1] He continued his football career in Germany at SpVgg Fürth (1960–1963) and later moved to Holland to play for Sparta (1963–64), and FC Zaanstreek (1964–1966).
Managerial career
After retiring form playing, Popovics coached Dutch amateur clubs Quick (1970–1971), MVV '27 (1971–1972), RFC Rotterdam (1972–1974), Overmaas (1974-1976), Unitas (1976–1977), Xerxes (1977–1978) and Barendrecht (1978–1980). The first professional team he managed was SVV Schiedam (1980–1981), then Belgian side KSV Waregem (1981–83). Back in the Netherlands he continued coaching professional teams De Graafschap (1983–1985),[2] NEC Nijmegen (1985–1987), Cambuur (1988–1990),[3] Excelsior Rotterdam (1990–1992), FC Eindhoven (1993–1994) and RBC Roosendaal (July 2010). At Roosendaal he left after six days as the club tried to have his unlicensed deputies do the main work.[4][5] He also managed Hungarian club MTK Budapest twice and Belgian side Verbroedering Geel, succeeding Dimitri Mbuyu.[6]
Sándor Popovics held the position of general manager at ADO Den Haag[7] and was named head scout at NAC in February 2002[8]
Personal life
He became a naturalized Dutch citizen in 1970.[9] Popovics was married to Corrie, the ex-wife of Theo Laseroms,[10] and was father-in-law of former NEC Nijmegen and Hungary goalkeeper Gábor Babos.[11] He suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died on 1 July 2019.[12]
References
- ^ Hongaarse baltovenaars - NRC (in Dutch)
- ^ "Nieuws, weer & verkeer - Omroep Gelderland". 17 November 2017.
- ^ Popovic - NRC (in Dutch)
- ^ "DPG Media Privacy Gate".
- ^ "Popovics had geen trek in constructie". 26 July 2010.
- ^ Sandor Popovics traint Geel - De Standaard (in Dutch)
- ^ HONGAAR POPOVICS WORDT MANAGER BIJ DEN HAAG - Volkskrant (in Dutch)
- ^ Sandor Popovics hoofd scouting - NAC (in Dutch)
- ^ Sandor Popovics overleden - N.E.C. (in Dutch)
- ^ Oud-trainer Sandor Popovic (80) overleden - Capels Dagblad (in Dutch)
- ^ Alarm, alarm, het nieuwe NEC komt eraan - De Trouwe Honden (in Dutch)
- ^ Oud-trainer Popovics van De Graafschap en NEC overleden - Gelderlander (in Dutch)