Zoltan Sabo (Serbian Cyrillic: Золтан Сабо; Hungarian: Szabó Zoltán; 26 May 1972 – 15 December 2020) was a Serbian professional football player and manager. During his playing career, he was a defender. He also held Hungarian citizenship.[2]

Playing career

In 1991, Sabo began his playing career at Hajduk Kula, newly promoted to the Yugoslav Second League. In his first senior career, he contributed to Hajduk's promotion to the First League of FR Yugoslavia.[3] Prior to the next season, he transferred to another First League club Vojvodina.

In 1996, Sabo moved to Partizan at the same league. While playing for Partizan for four years, he won two First League titles and one FR Yugoslavia Cup title.[4]

In 2000, Sabo joined K League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings.[5] Suwon registered his name as "Zoli", hoping he would successfully replace their previous defender Cosmin Olăroiu, called "Oli".[6] He was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2000–01 Asian Club Championship after helping the club win the tournament.[7] In 2002, he left for J2 League club Avispa Fukuoka.

During the 2003–04 season, Sabo played for Cypriot First Division club AEK Larnaca, winning the Cypriot Cup.[8]

Managerial career

After a stint as assistant coach to Tomislav Sivić at Nemzeti Bajnokság II champions Kecskemét, Sabo began his managerial career at the helm of his hometown club Radnički Sombor in October 2009. He spent the next two years at the position before leaving the side in November 2011.[9] A month later, Sabo was appointed manager at Hajduk Kula.[3]

Between 2013 and 2015, Sabo worked as assistant coach to Zlatomir Zagorčić at Litex Lovech of Bulgaria's top division, A Group, and two Serbian SuperLiga clubs, namely Donji Srem and Vojvodina.[10] On 16 January 2016, he restarted his managerial career at Serbian First League club Proleter Novi Sad.[11]

After performing the role of a director at First League club TSC for a while, Sabo was promoted to a manager on 21 August 2018.[12] In the 2018–19 season, he won the First League title, leading the club to be promoted to the SuperLiga. The next season, his team finished fourth at the SuperLiga, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.[13]

Death

Sabo died of a heart attack on 15 December 2020, aged 48, after suffering from COVID-19.[4]

Honours

Player

Partizan[4]

Suwon Samsung Bluewings[a]

AEK Larnaca

Individual

  1. ^ Several sources claimed Sabo won the 2000 K League Super Cup and the 2001–02 Asian Club Championship, but there is no evidence that he belonged to Suwon Samsung Bluewings when the two competitions were held.

Manager

TSC

References

  1. ^ "Preminuo Zoltan Sabo" (in Serbian). Sportklub. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Szabó Zoltán" (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Labdarúgó Archívum. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Zoltan Sabo novi trener Kuljana" (in Serbian). Mondo. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "IN MEMORIAM Золтан Сабо (1972 – 2020)" (in Serbian). Dnevnik. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  5. ^ 삼성 블루윙즈 수비수 사보 12일 영입 (in Korean). Kyeonggi Ilbo. 13 June 2000. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  6. ^ 그들을 왜 ‘용병’이라 부르는가 (in Korean). The Dong-A Ilbo. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b c 수원 삼성, 아시아클럽축구 평정 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 27 May 2001. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  8. ^ a b "2003/04 Cyprus Cup". RSSSF. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Zolika Sabo podneo ostavku!". SOinfo.org (in Serbian). 18 November 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Sabo Zoltan" (in Serbian). FK TSC. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Zoltan Sabo novi trener Proletera" (in Serbian). Radio Television of Vojvodina. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  12. ^ "ТСЦ именовао новог тренера, Сабо уместо Рогана" (in Serbian). Sportski žurnal. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  13. ^ a b "About the club". FK TSC. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  14. ^ Zoltan Sabo – K League stats at kleague.com (in Korean and English)
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoltan_Sabo