Hungary and Vasas mourn Illovszky

The Hungarian football community today said a final farewell to former national team coach Rudolf Illovszky who died last month at the age of 86.

'Uncle Rudi'
Illovszky, who passed away in his native Budapest, was a figure synonymous with his local club Vasas SC, whom he served as player, coach and boardroom consultant – and whose stadium is named after him. 'Uncle Rudi' played 270 games for Vasas, scoring 87 goals from his left-midfield position and winning the Hungarian Cup and the Mitropa Cup in the mid-1950s.

Olympic medal
Capped three times by Hungary, he had a longer association with the national side as manager. Having started his coaching career with Vasas, he led his country between 1966 and 1967 and then again, from 1971 to 1974. Perhaps the highlight came when he guided Hungary both to a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics and to fourth place at that year's UEFA European Championship. Illovszky also coached Greek clubs Pierikos FC and Olympiacos CFP as well as Admira Wacker in Austria. Later in life, he returned to Vasas as a special adviser, visiting the club each day in his retirement.