Pintér makes way for Dárdai as Hungary coach

Attila Pintér's nine-month reign as Hungary head coach has come to an end and he has been replaced on a temporary basis by former international midfielder Pál Dárdai.

Pintér was announced as Hungary's new coach last December after the unsuccessful 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign under Sándor Egervári, but had to wait until June for his first win, a 1-0 victory against Albania. His only competitive match came 11 days ago, Hungary's first UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier, but a 2-1 home defeat by Northern Ireland led the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) to review the situation.

MLSZ president Sándor Csányi said: "Attila Pintér continues to be seen as an expert coach by the federation's presidency. However, in the past few months we have not achieved the aims we set out to achieve or have only had partial success. We are not disappointed in Attila Pintér and it is impossible to deny that he put his heart and soul into the development of Hungarian football."

Dárdai, 38, played most of his football in Germany and is Hertha BSC Berlin's record Bundesliga appearance holder with 286 outings, in addition to his 61 caps for Hungary. He becomes Hungary's 51st head coach and their youngest since Mihály Pataki in 1930. The former Pécsi MFC and BVSC Budapest central midfielder has been given the role for three matches and will work on a voluntary basis until the end of the year.