Pál Dárdai

Pál Dárdai (born 16 March 1976) is a Hungarian retired footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder, and former coach of German Hertha BSC.

This article is about the footballer born in 1976. For the footballer born in 1951 and his father, see Pál Dárdai (footballer, born 1951). For the footballer born in 1999 and his son, see Palkó Dárdai.
The native form of this personal name is Dárdai Pál. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Pál Dárdai
Dárdai as a Hertha coach in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth (1976-03-16) 16 March 1976
Place of birth Pécs, Hungary
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Pécs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1995 Pécs 68 (11)
1996 Budapesti VSC 22 (3)
1997–2011 Hertha BSC 297 (17)
Total 387 (31)
National team
1996–1997 Hungary U21 5 (1)
1998–2010 Hungary 61 (5)
Teams managed
2012–2014 Hertha BSC (youth)
2014–2015 Hungary
2015–2019 Hertha BSC
2020- Hertha BSC (youth)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

In a 20-year professional career, he played for over a decade with the same club, Hertha BSC, in Germany. With 286 Bundesliga appearances, he is the club's most capped player. Dárdai gained 61 caps for the Hungary national team in 12 years, and also worked as the country's manager.

Playing career

Club

Hungary

Born in Pécs, Dárdai began his professional career with local Pécsi Mecsek FC, moving in January 1996 to Budapesti VSC. He helped his new club finish second in both the league and cup.

Hertha BSC
Dárdai playing for Hertha in 2009

In January 1997, Dárdai signed with Germany's Hertha BSC, appearing in ten matches for the 2. Bundesliga side before the end of the season, as the club was promoted to the top-flight Bundesliga. In 1998–99, he made 21 appearances (6 as a starter) as Hertha finished in third place, behind second-placed Bayer Leverkusen by one point.

On 13 November 2008, Dárdai marked his 250th Bundesliga appearance during the 1–0 win against 1899 Hoffenheim. Following the match, he thanked "the team and the fans".[1]

On 16 January 2009, Dárdai damaged his meniscus during training. He was operated on by Gert Schleicher after returning to Berlin from Marbella in Spain, where Hertha spent their winter training camp.[2]

Hertha extended Dárdai's contract by one year on 28 May 2009, and he became the club's longest-serving player.[3][4]

He expressed his wish to further extend his link, stating, "I can imagine that I will end my career here in Berlin, but before I return to Hungary I want to fulfil my ambition and that is to win the championship and the cup." Dieter Hoeneß responded by saying the club would also like to keep him.[5]

Dárdai helped The Old Lady qualify several times for the UEFA Cup, appearing sparingly from 2004 to 2006 (33 total matches) but featuring heavily in the following years. From 2009, his appearances became less and less frequent: after only one match in the 2010–11 campaign – with eventually returning to the top level – and being demoted to the reserve team, the 35-year-old retired from football, having appeared in 297 league contests.

International

Dárdai began playing for Hungary with the under-21s, in 1996. He made his senior debut in a friendly against Slovenia on 19 August 1998, and scored his first international goal on 10 October in an UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Azerbaijan, in the 58th minute of a 4–0 triumph.

Often cast as starting central midfielder alongside Krisztián Lisztes, under managers Bertalan Bicskei and Imre Gellei, Dárdai captained the national side seven times in 2006, netting twice. On 15 November 2006, he was not included in Péter Várhidi's provisional 25-man squad for the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, but featured in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as Hungary was now managed by Erwin Koeman.[6]

Managerial career

2012–2019: Hertha BSC

Early career

In 2012, Dárdai began working as a coach at Hertha BSC, his assistants at the under-15 team being Admir Hamžagić and Jochem Ziegert.[7][8]

2014–15: Hungary

On 18 September 2014, Dárdai was appointed as interim manager of the Hungary national team.[9][10] He turned down an offer from the Hungarian Football Federation ("MLSZ") to manage the side on a permanent basis,[11] with the former's president Sándor Csányi confirming the latter would be in charge of three Euro 2016 qualifying matches for free.[12]

On 23 September 2014, Zsolt Lőw, assistant coach of Red Bull Salzburg, was not permitted by his club to join Dárdai's coaching staff in the same capacity.[13] The latter's debut took place on 11 October against Romania, a 1–1 draw in Bucharest.[14] Three days later, he managed his first win, prevailing 1–0 away against the Faroe Islands;[15] he said after the second match that "the minimum aims were to get the three points".[16]

Former international István Sallói said in an interview with Nemzeti Sport in October 2014 that, "Dárdai is the only chance for Hungarian football." The former was appointed by the latter as the aid to map the opponents of the national team, and also said, "In the last ten days it became incredible clear what type of work I have to do."[17]

On 14 November 2014, Hungary won their first home match under Dárdai by beating Finland 1–0 thanks to Zoltán Gera's 84th-minute goal in the Euro 2016 qualifier at the Groupama Arena in Budapest.[18] The following month, the MLSZ announced Dárdai would remain as manager until 30 November 2015,[19][20][21] and he admitted that his son influenced him in making the decision by saying, "You have to return because without you they are not going to win."[22]

After returning to Hertha BSC, Dárdai was replaced as Hungary manager by his former mentor, Bernd Storck.[23]

In November 2015, Hungary under Storck qualified for the UEFA European Championship after a 44-year absence, and Dárdai stated in an interview with Hertha's official website that he built the base of the team while his successor added his part to reach the finals.[24][25]

Return to Hertha

On 5 February 2015, he was appointed interim manager of the main squad.[26] His first match in charge was a 2–0 victory over Mainz 05 two days later.[27]

On 29 May 2015, Dárdai signed a permanent contract with Hertha.[28]

Hertha began the season[29] by getting eliminated from the UEFA Europa League[30] in the third qualifying round[31] by Brøndby.[30]

Hertha won the first leg 1–0[32] and lost the second leg 3–1.[31]

On 16 April during the 2018–19 Bundesliga season, it was announced Dárdai would be leaving his role at the end of the season and would return to a youth coach role in 2020.[33]

Personal life

Dárdai is married and has three sons: Palkó, Márton and Bence. On 20 July 2002, Balázs Dárdai, his brother and a midfielder for FC Barcs, died during a tournament after an artery burst when he jumped for a ball. Their father, also named Pál (1951–2017) and the club's coach, was watching the game when it happened; Balázs was only 23 years old.[34]

Statistics

Club
Season Club Country Competition Matches Goals[35]
1991–92Pécsi MunkásHungaryNemzeti Bajnokság I40
1992–93101
1993–94101
1994–95304
1995–96145
1995–96BVSC Budapest70
1996–97153
1996–97Hertha BSCGermany2. Bundesliga100
1997–98Bundesliga140
1998–99211
1999–00151
2000–01242
2001–02273
2002–03294
2003–04290
2004–05170
2005–06162
2006–07283
2007–08230
2008–09261
2009–10170
2010–112. Bundesliga10

International goals
International goals
DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition[36]
110 October 1998Tofiq Bahramov, Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan1–04–0Euro 2000 qualifying
27 September 2002Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland Iceland2–02–0Friendly
320 November 2002Üllői úti, Budapest, Hungary Moldova1–11–1Friendly
430 May 2006Old Trafford, Manchester, England England1–21–3Friendly
56 September 2006Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina3–03–1Euro 2008 qualifying

Managerial record
As of 18 May 2019
Team From To Record
PWDLGFGAGDWin %Ref
Hungary 18 September 2014 20 July 2015 7 4 2 1 9 3 +6 057.14
Hertha BSC 5 February 2015[26] 30 June 2019 172 64 44 64 219 232 −13 037.21 [37]
Total 179 68 46 65 228 235 −7 037.99 —

Honours

Club
Budapesti VSC
Hertha BSC[38]

Individual
  • Hungarian Footballer of the Year: 2006[39]
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References
  1. "Hertha's Dardai on reaching 250 game mark". Goal.com. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  2. "Hertha's Dardai to go under knife". Goal.com. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  3. "Dardai commits to Hertha". FIFA. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  4. "Dardai sticking with Hertha". Special Broadcasting Service. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  5. Zeh, Thomas (28 May 2009). "Dardai wants Hertha extension". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  6. "Dardai: Anything is possible". FIFA. 1 September 2008.
  7. "Jochem Ziegert unterstützt Pal" [Jochem Ziegert assists Pal Dardai] (in German). Hertha BSC. 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  8. "Hertha fordert Pal Dardai zurück" [Hertha wants Pal Dardai back] (in German). T-Online. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  9. "Hungary sack Pinter, bring in Dardai". FIFA. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  10. "Pintér makes way for Dárdai as Hungary coach". FIFA. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  11. "Pinter entlassen – Dardai wird Ungarns Interimstrainer" [Pinter dismissed – Dardai becomes interim manager of Hungary] (in German). kicker. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  12. "Válogatott: Dárdai ingyen irányítja a nemzeti csapatot" [Confirmed: Dárdai coaches national team for free] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  13. "Válogatott: Lőw Zsolt nem jön, nem lesz Dárdai segítője" [Confirmed: Lőw Zsolt does not come, will not assist Dárdai]. Nemzeti Sport. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  14. "Hungary's Dzsudzsák draws sting from Romania". UEFA. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  15. "Hungary relieved to edge out Faroe Islands". UEFA. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  16. "Dárdai: Kilencvenperces szenvedést láthattunk; jönnek az oroszok – hivatalos" [Dárdai: We witnessed a 90-minute suffering; the Russians are coming – official] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  17. "Válogatott: "Dárdai a magyar labdarúgás egyetlen esélye"" [Confirmed: "Dárdai is Hungarian football's only hope"] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  18. "Gera strikes late as Hungary edge Finland". UEFA. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  19. "Dardai to stay on as Hungary coach". FIFA. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  20. "Válogatott: Dárdai Pál marad a magyar szövetségi kapitány" [Confirmed: Dárdai Pál stays with Hungarian national team] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  21. "Pal Dardai bleibt Trainer der ungarischen Nationalelf" [Pal Dardai remains as coach of the Hungarian national team] (in German). Hertha BSC. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  22. "Videó: Apa, vissza kell menned, nélküled nem nyernek – Dárdai fia" [Video: Father, you have to return, they will not win without you – Dárdai son] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  23. "Válogatott: Storck veszi át Dárdai helyét – hivatalos" [National team: Storck takes Dárdai's place – official] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  24. "Válogatott: alapot építettem, Storck hozzátette a magáét – Dárdai" [National team: I built the foundations, Storck added his bit – Dárdai] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  25. "Stolz wie Pál!" [Proud as Pál!] (in German). Hertha BSC. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  26. "Hertha-Coach Luhukay weg – Dardai Interims-Chef" [Hertha coach Luhukay gone – Dardai interim boss]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Berlin. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  27. "Dortmund get vital win at Freiburg, Bayern Munich cruise at Stuttgart". ESPN FC. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  28. "Hertha: Dárdai Pál aláírta szerződését – hivatalos" [Hertha: Dárdai Pál signed contract – official] (in Hungarian). Nemzeti Sport. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  29. "Hertha BSC". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  30. Da Silva, Michael (4 August 2016). "Pukki hat trick knocks Hertha out of the Europa League". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  31. "Pukki beendet Herthas Traum von Europa" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  32. "Gute Ausgangslage dank Ibisevics Traumtor" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  33. "New head coach to be appointed this summer". Hertha BSC. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  34. "Hertha's Dardai mourns after brother dies during game". ESPN FC. 22 July 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  35. "Pal Dardai". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  36. "Dárdai Pál". European Football. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  37. "Hertha BSC". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  38. "P. Dárdai – Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  39. "Dárdai Pálé a Magyar Aranylabda" [Dárdai Pál is Hungarian Golden Ball] (in Hungarian). Sport Geza. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
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