Zalaegerszegi Torna Egylet Football Club ([ˈzɒlɒɛɡɛrsɛɡi ˈtornɒ ˈɛɟlɛt]), commonly known as Zalaegerszegi TE, Zalaegerszeg or ZTE, is a Hungarian professional football club based in Zalaegerszeg. Zalaegerszeg has won one Hungarian League title in 2002 and one Magyar Kupa title in 2023.

Zalaegerszeg
Zalaegerszeg logo
Full nameZalaegerszegi Torna Egylet Football Club
Nickname(s)Zete
Short nameZTE
Founded1920; 104 years ago (1920)
GroundZTE Arena
Capacity11,200
ChairmanGábor Végh
Head coachGábor Márton
LeagueNB I
2023–24NB I, 9th of 12
WebsiteClub website

History

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ZTE traces its roots back to 1912, at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its first match was a 4–2 defeat to a team from Vasvár. The team was first composed of members of a literary and debating society. ZTE flourished under coach József Vadász, but World War I halted its progress. In 1920, Zalaegerszegi TE, or "Gymanistics Club of Zalaegerszeg," was born. They were defeated in their debut match, losing 2–1 to AK Szombathely on August 21, 1920, but were motivated by a crowd of over 2,000 fans.[1]

ZTE's league history began in 1924, when they joined the Hungarian second division. The club won the title a decade later and entered the top flight in 1934. However, the start of World War II under the regime of Admiral Miklós Horthy saw ZTE's field and equipment confiscated. After the war, in 1957, ZTE merged with two other local teams, signalling the rebirth of the club.[2]

1990s

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From then on to the 1990s, however, ZTE did not really challenge the Hungarian title much. The league was dominated by Budapest club Ferencvárosi TC. In 1994, ZTE managed to gain a solid foothold on the Hungarian first division.

2000s

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In the 2000s, the club reached their zenith by winning the Hungarian League for the first time in the club history. In the 2001–02 season, Zalaegrszeg finished second in the first stage of the championship gaining 61 points while Budapest rivals MTK Budapest FC 64 points. In the championship play-off Zalaegerszeg secured their first ever league title and finished on 71 points and Péter Bozsik's team overtook Budapest rivals Ferencváros and MTK Budapest along the way.[3][4] Krisztián Kenesei and Gábor Egressy were the key figures of the title-winning team by scoring 37 goals. In the 2002–03 season, Zalaegerszeg finished in the bottom half of the table and competed in the relegation play-offs. In the following seasons, ZTE would consolidate in the lower half of the table, finishing in 9th, 6th and 11th place respectively.

In the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase Zalaegerszeg defeated Croatian champions NK Zagreb on away goals. The first match was played in Zalaegerszeg and the club won it by 1–0.[5] The only goal was scored by Darko Ljubojević. In the second leg Zagreb was winning by 2–0 when in the 87th minute Zalaegerszeg was awarded a penalty which was scored by Flórián Urbán.[6] ZTE beat Zagreb on away goals. In the third qualifying round Zalaegerszeg faced English giants Manchester United. In the first leg, ZTE provided a stunning shock by winning 1–0 with a last minute goal from Béla Koplárovics.[7] However, in the return leg at Old Trafford, Man United won a convincing 5–0 victory.[8] Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in the 5th minute and in the 75th minute then David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored. The English side progressed to the first group stage with a 5–1 aggregate victory. In the 2006–07 season after nine rounds Zalaegerszeg was on the top of the league table.[9] At the end of the season the club finished third securing a place in the European competitions of the Intertoto Cup 2007. In the spring of 2009 János Csank was appointed as the coach of the club.[10] The success coach has already won two Hungarian League titles. In 1994 with Vác and in 2001 with Ferencváros.[11]

2010s

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In the 2010–11 season Zalaegerszeg was competing for the Europa League position with Budapest rivals Ferencváros but ZTE finished fourth and could not secure a place for the qualifiers. In the 2011–12 season Zalaegerszeg started the season with five consecutive defeats which resulted the dismissal of János Csank. He was replaced by former Ferencváros coach László Prukner. The first half of the 2011–12 Hungarian League season was a nightmare for the club since they finished last gaining only 6 points without any victories. On April 21, 2012, Zalaegerszeg were relegated to the second division of the Hungarian League after the defeat against titleholders Videoton.

On 15 May 2014, former Zalaegerszeg player Gergely Kocsárdi was elected as director of the club. It was also announced that the company called Pharos '95 gained more than 50% of the shares of the club for about 16 million HUF.[12]

By winning the 2018–19 Nemzeti Bajnokság II season, Zalaegerszeg were promoted to the 2019–20 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season.[13] Zalaegerszeg could win 25 matches, drew seven times and lost only 6 matches in the season. The most prolific goal scorer of the season was Gergely Bobál by scoring 17 goals.

2020s

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Before the 2020-21 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season it was rumoured that former PSV Eindhoven and Hungary national football team star Balázs Dzsudzsák would be signed by the club. However, Gábor Végh, the owner of the club, claimed that the club had not started any negotiations with Dzsudzsák.[14]

In the 2021–22 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season, Zalaegerszeg finished 8th. One of the most spectacular victories of the season was when Zalaegerszeg beat Ferencváros 2–1 at the Groupama Aréna on 16 October 2021. However, on the negative side, Zalaegerszeg lost to Gyirmót 2–1 at home on 8 May 2022.[15]

On 24 April 2023, Ricardo Moniz was sacked after losing to Debrecen.[16] Moniz was replaced by Gábor Boér.[17] The club also appointed István Sallói as the new sports director.

 
Zalaegerszeg at the Puskás Aréna

Zalaegerzseg entered the 2022–23 Magyar Kupa season on 17 September 2022 in a 2–0 away victory against Kaposvári Rákóczi FC at the Rákóczi Stadion.[18] On 19 October 2022, Zalaegerszeg beat Kazincbarcikai SC 2–0 at the Kolorcity Aréna in the round of 32 of the Magyar Kupa.[19] On 8 February 2023, Zalaegerszeg beat Békéscsaba 1912 Előre 2–0 at the Kórház utcai Stadion in the round of 16 of the Magyar Kupa.[20] Zalaegerszeg beat Mezőkövesdi SE 4–1 in the quarter finals of the Magyar Kupa at the Mezőkövesdi Városi Stadion on 28 February 2023.[21] On 4 April Zalaegerszeg beat Puskás Akadémia 1–0 after extra time in the 2022–23 Magyar Kupa season and qualified for the Magyar Kupa final for the second time in the club's history.[22][23] On 3 May 2023, Zalaegerszeg beat Budafok in the 2023 Magyar Kupa final at the Puskás Aréna.[24][25]

On 15 July 2023, Zalaegerszeg beat 1. FC Union Berlin 3–2 in a friendly match at home.[26][27]

Since Zalaegerszeg won the Magyar Kupa they were eligible to enter the second qualifying round of the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League season. On 27 July 2023, Zalaegerszeg lost 1–0 to NK Osijek at the Opus Arena.[28][29] The only goal was scored by Ramón Miérez in the 91st minute.[30] In the second tie, Osijek also beat Zalaegerszeg 2–1 at the ZTE Aréna on 3 August 2023.[31] The only Hungarian goal was scored by Eduvie Ikoba in the 82nd minute.[32][33]

On 13 November 2023, Gábor Márton was appointed as the new coach of the club.[34] Former Honvéd legend, István Pisont, was appointed as the assistant coach.[35] In an interview with Nemzeti Sport, he said that he is optimistic, but he is not expecting an easy ride to keep the club in the first league.[36] The debut ended with a 2–1 defeat against Debrecen on 25 November 2023.[37]

Crest and colours

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Former logo, used in the 1990s.

The colours of the club are   blue and   white.

Manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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The following table shows in detail Zalaegerszegi TE kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors by year:

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
−2002 adidas Zalahús
2002–2003 e·on
2003–2006 Joma
2006–2008 mass
2008–2010
2010–2012 St.Graal
2012–2013
2013–2017 Pharos '95 Kft.
2017–2019 Puma
2019– 2Rule

Stadiums and facilities

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Zalaegerszeg play their matches in the ZTE Arena.[38] The stadium is able to host 11200 people. Due to the increased attention Zalaegerszeg played their 2002–03 UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United at the Ferenc Puskás Stadium.[39]

 
Arena Entry

Honours

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Players

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Current squad

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As of 30 July, 2024[40]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   HUN Bence Gundel-Takács
2 DF   HUN Sebő Deme
3 DF   UKR Oleksandr Safronov
5 DF   HUN Bence Várkonyi
6 MF   HUN Gergely Mim
7 FW   CRO Kristian Fućak (on loan from Osijek)
8 MF   HUN András Csonka
9 FW   HUN Máté Sajbán
10 MF   FRA Yohan Croizet
11 MF   HUN Norbert Szendrei
13 DF   HUN Dominik Csontos
17 DF   HUN Vince Nyíri
18 MF   MNE Bojan Sanković
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 DF   HUN Dániel Csóka
22 GK   HUN Ervin Németh
23 MF   SVK Sinan Medgyes
24 DF   BIH Marko Čubrilo
25 MF   NGA Jack Ipalibo
41 DF   GRE Stefanos Evangelou
46 GK   HUN Bence Köcse
49 MF   HUN Bence Kiss
67 MF   HUN Balázs Bakti (on loan from Puskás Akadémia)
77 FW   CRO Josip Špoljarić
88 FW   HUN Balázs Vogyicska
97 FW   HUN Dániel Németh
99 FW   HUN Csanád-Vilmos Dénes

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   HUN Zsombor Senkó (at Nafta 1903 until 30 June 2025)
DF   HUN András Huszti (at Fehérvár until 30 June 2025)
No. Pos. Nation Player
FW   HUN Milán Klausz (at Nafta 1903 until 30 June 2025)
FW   HUN Szabolcs Szalay (at Nafta 1903 until 30 June 2025)

Players with multiple nationalities

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Non-playing staff

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Head coach: Márton Gábor

Asszisztens edző: Szimodics Gergő

U-12 U17 coach: William Gallas[41]

Seasons

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European cup history

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Season Competition Round Country Club Home Away Aggregate
1985 UEFA Intertoto Cup Group 7   Górnik Zabrze 0–1 1–1
Group 7   Young Boys 4–0 1–4
Group 7   Aarhus GF 1–0 4–4
2002–03 UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round   Zagreb 1–0 1–2 2–2(a)
3rd Qualifying Round   Manchester United 1–0 0–5 1–5
2002–03 UEFA Cup 1st round   Dinamo Zagreb 1–3 0–6 1–9
2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1st round   Rubin Kazan 0–3 0–2 0–5
2010–11 Europa League Q1   Tirana 0–1 0–0 0–1
2023–24 Europa Conference League Q2   Osijek 1−2 0–1 1−3

European record

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As of August 14, 2010
Competition App Pld Won Drn Lst GF GA
UEFA Champions League 1 4 2 0 2 3 7
UEFA Cup/Europa League 2 4 0 1 3 1 10
Intertoto Cup 1 2 0 0 2 0 5

Managers

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References

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  1. ^ "Bemutatjuk a ZTE-t: amit vasárnapi ellenfelünkről tudni kell". www.mtkbudapest.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Zalaegerszegi TE FC - Soccer - Team Profile - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "Hungary round-up: Zalaegerszeg zoom to top". UEFA. May 4, 2002. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2002.
  4. ^ "Hungary round-up: All too easy for Zalaegerszeg". UEFA. March 15, 2002. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2002.
  5. ^ "Zalaegerszeg 1–0 Zagreb". UEFA. July 31, 2002. Retrieved July 31, 2002.
  6. ^ "Zagreb 2–1 Zalaegerszeg". UEFA. August 7, 2002. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2002.
  7. ^ "Zalaegerszeg 1–0 Manchester United". UEFA. August 14, 2002. Archived from the original on November 17, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2002.
  8. ^ "Manchester United 5–0 Zalaegerszeg". UEFA. August 14, 2002. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2002.
  9. ^ "ZTE top as Honvéd reshuffle". UEFA. October 17, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2006.
  10. ^ "Csank gives Zalaegerszeg a leg-up". UEFA. April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  11. ^ "Csank János mesteredző belépett az Eger Sikeréért Egyesületbe – Eger Sikeréért Egyesület" (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "ZTE: Kocsárdi a klubigazgató, új főtulajdonos van". www.nso.hu. May 15, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  13. ^ "2018–19 Nemzeti Bajnokság II". Soccerway.com. June 30, 2019. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "ZTE: Nem téma nálunk Dzsudzsák Balázs – Végh Gábor - NSO". August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
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  18. ^ "Kaposvári Rákóczi vs. Zalaegerszeg - 17 September 2022 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  19. ^ "Kazincbarcika vs. Zalaegerszeg - 19 October 2022 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  20. ^ "Békéscsaba vs. Zalaegerszeg - 8 February 2023 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  21. ^ "Mezőkövesd vs. Zalaegerszeg - 28 February 2023 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  22. ^ nemzetisport.hu (April 4, 2023). "MK: Zalaegerszeg–Puskás Akadémia - NSO". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  23. ^ "Zalaegerszeg vs. Puskás - 4 April 2023 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  24. ^ "Budafok vs Zalaegerszeg Live Scores | LiveScore". www.livescore.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  25. ^ nemzetisport.hu (May 3, 2023). "A Zalaegerszeg a hosszabbítás utolsó perceiben söpörte be a kupagyő". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  26. ^ nemzetisport.hu (2023). "Felkészülés: a Zalaegerszeg ötgólos meccsen legyőzte az Union Berli". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "Union loses 3:2 against ZTE in Hungary". fc-union-berlin.de. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  28. ^ UEFA.com. "History: Osijek 1-0 ZTE | UEFA Conference League 2023/24". UEFA.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  29. ^ Z, R. (July 27, 2023). "Ekl: egygólos zalaegerszegi vereség Eszéken". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  30. ^ ZOLTÁN, RÓTH (July 27, 2023). "Hosszabbításban kapott góllal maradt alul a Zalaegerszeg Eszéken". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  31. ^ UEFA.com. "History: ZTE 1-2 Osijek | UEFA Conference League 2023/24". UEFA.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  32. ^ ÁDÁM, BACSKAI JÁNOS; JUDI (August 3, 2023). "Idehaza is kikapott a Zalaegerszeg az Eszéktől". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). Retrieved August 29, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ J, B. (August 3, 2023). "Ekl: ismét kikapott a Zalaegerszeg az Eszéktől, kiesett". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). Retrieved August 29, 2024.
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  37. ^ nemzetisport.hu (November 25, 2023). "NB I: A ZTE alacsonyabb intenzitáson akarta tartani a meccset – Bla". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
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  39. ^ UEFA.com. "Zalaegerszeg-Man United | UEFA Champions League 2002/03". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  40. ^ "ZTE FC" (in Hungarian). Zalaegerszegi TE. August 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  41. ^ B, R. (July 28, 2021). "NB I: William Gallas a ZTE-ben folytatja – egyéni edzőként - NSO". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  42. ^ "Hideg zuhany az NB I-ben: Waltner Róbert lemondott a ZTE-nél". Magyar Nemzet. March 25, 2022. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  43. ^ "NB I: Ricardo Moniz a Zalaegerszeg új vezetőedzője – hivatalos". Nemzeti Sport. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  44. ^ nemzetisport.hu (April 24, 2023). "NB I: Ricardo Monizt menesztette a ZTE – hivatalos - NSO". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  45. ^ nemzetisport.hu (April 24, 2023). "NB I: Sallói István a ZTE új sportigazgatója – hivatalos - NSO". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  46. ^ nemzetisport.hu (November 13, 2023). "NB I: Márton Gábor ül a ZTE kispadjára – hivatalos! - NSO". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
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