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Hungary national team's new coach to follow in footsteps of predecessor

Xinhua, July 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Newly appointed Hungary national soccer team coach Bernd Storck told a press conference here on Tuesday that he planned to follow the lines drawn by outgoing Pal Dardai given the outstanding performance of Hungarians in recent games.

The 52-year-old German has been Hungary's sports director since March and has already coached Hungary' s U20s.

Hungarian Football Federation declared on Monday that Storck was named to take over the team for the remaining four qualification meets for 2016 UEFA European Championship. This came after Bundesliga' s Hertha Berlin, where Dardai is head coach, announced that it would no longer agree that Dardai divided his time between the two teams.

Hungary has a chance to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2016, the first time it might participate in a major international tournament since the Mexico World Cup in 1986.

Hungary is currently placed third in its group with 11 points, two points behind Northern Ireland and three behind Romania, both of which it will play against this fall.

Storck acknowledged that his overall style was different from Dardai' s and that he might bring in one or two additional assistants. At the same time, he said he planned to discuss future games with Dardai, who knew the players in and out.

Storck said that he had already spoken with national team captain Balazs Dszudzsak, Dynamo Moscow midfielder who assured him of his support. However, Storck said that he also needed the support of the media and the fans if the team is to be successful.

Hungarian Football Federation vice president Sandor Berzi voiced his displeasure with Hertha' s decision, but said that a reversal would require a lengthy legal battle. With Hungary due to play against Romania, the leader in its group, on September 4, a snap decision had to be made. Hungary plays second-place Northern Ireland on September 7. Endi