ISL: Chennaiyin FC name Csaba Laszlo as head coach for 2020-21 season

Two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC on Sunday anunced appointment of experienced Csaba Laszlo as ir head coach for 2020-21 season.

It will be 56-year-old Hungarian Laszlo's first stint in Asia. He has more than two decades of coaching experience at club and international level.

Romania-born Laszlo had coaching stints in eight countries, including two national teams -- Uganda and Lithiania.

Laszlo replaced Owen Coyle, who took team to final in 2019-20 ISL season. Coyle recently moved to Jamshedpur FC as ir head coach.

"I am incredibly proud and happy to become Head Coach of Chennaiyin FC. It is my privilege to join 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," Hungarian was quoted as saying in a media release.

"And I'm so happy w to be a part of this family. Toger with my coaching staff, we will do everything possible to take Chennaiyin to greater heights." Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani said Laszlo has credentials to bring success to club.

"We are excited to bring Csaba onboard as Head Coach and believe he has perfect credentials to bring success to our club. Along with his experience of coaching at highest level in various leagues and countries," Dani said.

"Csaba also possesses proven expertise in unearthing and nurturing youngsters. Promoting budding Indian talent is at forefront of our objectives at Chennaiyin, and Csaba fits mould perfectly in that regard as well," she added.

CFC had recently anunced retention of 11 Indian players from last ISL season's squad, apart from retaining services of Brazilian duo of defender Eli Sabiá and creative midfielder Rafael Crivellaro.

A central midfielder himself, Laszlo'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 of 27.

His early coaching career included a spell at Borussia Monchengladbach B team, where he oversaw discovery of several future stars, most tably German international and FIFA World Cup bronze medalist Marcell Jansen.

He worked as assistant to German World Cup-winning legend Lothar Matthäus at Hungary national team.

Laszlo also became head coach of Hungarian giants Ferencváros and he won 2005 Hungarian Coach of Year award. He n assumed role of Ugandan national team boss, whom he took from 167 to 97 in FIFA world rankings. He has also served as head coach of Lithuanian national team.

Laszlo n made switch to Scottish top-flight side Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) and helped m finish third in standings and secured qualification to inaugural UEFA Europa League.

Subsequently, he coached clubs in Belgium (Charleroi), Hungary (MTK Budapest), Slovakia (Dunajská Streda) and returned to Scotland with Dundee United in 2017-18 season. His last coaching stint was with Romanian club Sepsi OSK. 

im credits: PTI / Twitter