Márton Bukovi
Encyclopedia
Márton Bukovi was a Hungarian
association football player and manager. After playing for Ferencvárosi TC, FC Sète
and Hungary
he became a coach, most notably with Građanski Zagreb, MTK Hungária FC
and Hungary
. Together with Béla Guttmann
and Gusztáv Sebes
, he formed a trio of innovative Hungarian coaches who pioneered the 4–2–4 formation.
and two Croatian league titles. After the Second World War, Građanski merged with two other clubs to become Dinamo Zagreb
and Bukovi remained on as manager of the new club. In 1947 Bukovi was appointed manager of MTK Hungária FC
. In 1949 when Hungary became a communist state
, MTK were taken over by the secret police, the ÁVH
, and subsequently the club became known as Textiles SE. They then became Bástya SE, then Vörös Lobogó SE and then finally back to MTK. Despite this turmoil, the 1950s proved a successful era for the club and with a team that included Péter Palotás
, Nándor Hidegkuti
, Mihály Lantos
and József Zakariás
, Bukovi guided them to three Hungarian League
titles and a Hungarian Cup.
In Olympiacos F.C. Bukovi became a legend for the fans. He transformed Olympiacos and produced many young Greek
players. Eventually he was forced to leave the club after a string of poor results in the 1967-68 season
and also because of the military regime. He left the club on 20 November 1967 (other sources indicate 13 December).
Bukovi also played a major role in the success of the legendary Hungary
team known as the Mighty Magyars. It was Bukovi, working at MTK with Péter Palotás
and Nándor Hidegkuti
, who developed the vital 4-2-4 formation, later adopted by national coach Gusztáv Sebes
and exported to Brazil
by Béla Guttmann
. This formation involved the use of either Palotás or Hidegkuti as a deep lying centre-forward. In 1953 Hidegkuti would exploit this position to great effect as he scored a hat-trick
for Hungary when they beat England
6-3
at Wembley Stadium. During the Mighty Magyar era, Bukovi also worked as an assistant to Sebes and in March 1956, when the latter was sacked as national coach, he succeeded him. On 23 September 1956 he coached a Hungary
team that included Gyula Grosics
, József Bozsik
, Sándor Kocsis
, Nándor Hidegkuti
, Ferenc Puskás
and Zoltán Czibor
to a 1-0 victory over the USSR
at the Lenin Stadium
. This was the first time the USSR had lost at home.
FC Sète 34
Ferencvárosi TC
Manager
Građanski Zagreb
MTK/Textiles/Bástya/Vörös Lobogó
Olympiacos F.C.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
association football player and manager. After playing for Ferencvárosi TC, FC Sète
FC Sète
FC Sète 34 is a French football club based in Sète and founded in 1900. The club won the French league twice and the French cup also twice . In 1934 they became the first club to win the French league and cup double....
and Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
he became a coach, most notably with Građanski Zagreb, MTK Hungária FC
MTK Hungária FC
MTK Budapest FC or just MTK is a football club from Budapest, Hungary. The team plays in the second division of the Hungarian League. The club's colours are blue and white. As one of the most successful Hungarian football clubs, MTK has won the Hungarian League 23 times and the Hungarian Cup 12...
and Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. Together with Béla Guttmann
Béla Guttmann
Béla Guttmann was a Jewish Hungarian footballer and coach. He played as a midfielder for MTK Hungária FC, SC Hakoah Wien, Hungary and several clubs in the United States. However he is perhaps best remembered as a coach and manager of some the world’s leading football teams, including AC Milan, São...
and Gusztáv Sebes
Gusztáv Sebes
Gusztáv Sebes was a Hungarian footballer and coach. With the title of Deputy Minister of Sport, he coached the Hungarian team known as the Mighty Magyars in the 1950s. Among the players in the team were Ferenc Puskás, Zoltán Czibor, Sándor Kocsis, József Bozsik, and Nándor Hidegkuti...
, he formed a trio of innovative Hungarian coaches who pioneered the 4–2–4 formation.
Career
Bukovi began his coaching career with Građanski Zagreb in 1935 and subsequently guided the club to two YugoslavYugoslav First League
The Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
and two Croatian league titles. After the Second World War, Građanski merged with two other clubs to become Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten...
and Bukovi remained on as manager of the new club. In 1947 Bukovi was appointed manager of MTK Hungária FC
MTK Hungária FC
MTK Budapest FC or just MTK is a football club from Budapest, Hungary. The team plays in the second division of the Hungarian League. The club's colours are blue and white. As one of the most successful Hungarian football clubs, MTK has won the Hungarian League 23 times and the Hungarian Cup 12...
. In 1949 when Hungary became a communist state
People's Republic of Hungary
The People's Republic of Hungary or Hungarian People's Republic was the official state name of Hungary from 1949 to 1989 during its Communist period under the guidance of the Soviet Union. The state remained in existence until 1989 when opposition forces consolidated in forcing the regime to...
, MTK were taken over by the secret police, the ÁVH
State Protection Authority
The State Protection Authority was the secret police force of Hungary from 1945 until 1956. It was conceived of as an external appendage of the Soviet Union's secret police forces, but attained an indigenous reputation for brutality during a series of purges beginning in 1948, intensifying in 1949...
, and subsequently the club became known as Textiles SE. They then became Bástya SE, then Vörös Lobogó SE and then finally back to MTK. Despite this turmoil, the 1950s proved a successful era for the club and with a team that included Péter Palotás
Péter Palotás
Péter Palotás , also referred to as Péter Poteleczky and Palotás Péter, was a Hungarian footballer who played as a forward for MTK Hungária FC and Hungary...
, Nándor Hidegkuti
Nándor Hidegkuti
Nándor Hidegkuti was a Hungarian football player and manager. He played as a forward or attacking midfielder and spent the majority of his playing career at MTK Hungária FC. During the 1950s he was also a member of the Hungarian National Team team known as the Golden Team...
, Mihály Lantos
Mihály Lantos
Mihály Lantos , also known as Lantos Mihály or Mihály Lendenmayer, was a Hungarian footballer and manager. He played as a defender, spending the majority of his career at MTK Hungária FC. During the 1950s he was also a member of the Hungary team known as the Mighty Magyars...
and József Zakariás
József Zakariás
József Zakariás , also known as Zakariás József was a Hungarian footballer and manager. During the 1950s he was a member of the legendary Hungary team known as the Mighty Magyars...
, Bukovi guided them to three Hungarian League
Hungarian League
The Nemzeti Bajnokság is a Hungarian professional league for association football clubs. The league is currently known as the OTP Bank Liga for sponsorship reasons, and it is the highest level of professional league since its inception in 1901. UEFA currently ranks the league 35th in Europe.Sixteen...
titles and a Hungarian Cup.
In Olympiacos F.C. Bukovi became a legend for the fans. He transformed Olympiacos and produced many young Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
players. Eventually he was forced to leave the club after a string of poor results in the 1967-68 season
Alpha Ethniki 1967-68
Alpha Ethniki 1967-68 was the first of several seasons in which the Cypriot champion would play in the Alpha Ethniki the following season. Olympiakos Nicosia finished second to last and were relegated back to the Cypriot First Division.-Standings:...
and also because of the military regime. He left the club on 20 November 1967 (other sources indicate 13 December).
Bukovi also played a major role in the success of the legendary Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
team known as the Mighty Magyars. It was Bukovi, working at MTK with Péter Palotás
Péter Palotás
Péter Palotás , also referred to as Péter Poteleczky and Palotás Péter, was a Hungarian footballer who played as a forward for MTK Hungária FC and Hungary...
and Nándor Hidegkuti
Nándor Hidegkuti
Nándor Hidegkuti was a Hungarian football player and manager. He played as a forward or attacking midfielder and spent the majority of his playing career at MTK Hungária FC. During the 1950s he was also a member of the Hungarian National Team team known as the Golden Team...
, who developed the vital 4-2-4 formation, later adopted by national coach Gusztáv Sebes
Gusztáv Sebes
Gusztáv Sebes was a Hungarian footballer and coach. With the title of Deputy Minister of Sport, he coached the Hungarian team known as the Mighty Magyars in the 1950s. Among the players in the team were Ferenc Puskás, Zoltán Czibor, Sándor Kocsis, József Bozsik, and Nándor Hidegkuti...
and exported to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
by Béla Guttmann
Béla Guttmann
Béla Guttmann was a Jewish Hungarian footballer and coach. He played as a midfielder for MTK Hungária FC, SC Hakoah Wien, Hungary and several clubs in the United States. However he is perhaps best remembered as a coach and manager of some the world’s leading football teams, including AC Milan, São...
. This formation involved the use of either Palotás or Hidegkuti as a deep lying centre-forward. In 1953 Hidegkuti would exploit this position to great effect as he scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
for Hungary when they beat England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
6-3
England v Hungary (1953)
England v Hungary was an international football game played on November 25, 1953. The game was played between Hungary - then the world's number one ranked team, the Olympic champions and on a run of 24 unbeaten games - and England, then the world's number three ranked team, the inventors of the...
at Wembley Stadium. During the Mighty Magyar era, Bukovi also worked as an assistant to Sebes and in March 1956, when the latter was sacked as national coach, he succeeded him. On 23 September 1956 he coached a Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
team that included Gyula Grosics
Gyula Grosics
Gyula Grosics is a Hungarian former football goalkeeper who played 86 times for the Hungarian national football team and was part of the legendary Golden Team of the 1950s. He was nicknamed the Black Panther ....
, József Bozsik
József Bozsik
József Bozsik was a Hungarian footballer. He represented Hungary in various international tournaments, and is a member of the Mighty Magyars.-Biography:...
, Sándor Kocsis
Sándor Kocsis
Sándor Kocsis Péter was a Hungarian footballer who played for Ferencváros TC, Budapest Honvéd, Young Fellows Zürich, FC Barcelona and Hungary. During the 1950s, along with Ferenc Puskás, Zoltán Czibor, József Bozsik and Nándor Hidegkuti, he was a member of the Mighty Magyars...
, Nándor Hidegkuti
Nándor Hidegkuti
Nándor Hidegkuti was a Hungarian football player and manager. He played as a forward or attacking midfielder and spent the majority of his playing career at MTK Hungária FC. During the 1950s he was also a member of the Hungarian National Team team known as the Golden Team...
, Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian footballer and manager. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary, and 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and was a World Cup finalist in 1954...
and Zoltán Czibor
Zoltán Czibor
Zoltán Czibor Suhai , also referred to as Czibor Zoltán, was a Hungarian footballer who played for several Hungarian clubs, including Ferencváros TC and Honvéd, and Hungary before joining CF Barcelona. Czibor played as a left-winger or striker and was notable for having a powerful shot, good...
to a 1-0 victory over the USSR
USSR national football team
The Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
at the Lenin Stadium
Luzhniki Stadium
The Grand Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex in Moscow, or briefly Luzhniki Stadium , is the biggest sports stadium in Russia. Its total seating capacity is 78,360 seats, all covered. The stadium is a part of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, previously called the Central Lenin Stadium...
. This was the first time the USSR had lost at home.
Honours
PlayerFC Sète 34
- Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1- 1934
- French CupCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
: 1- 1934
Ferencvárosi TC
- Hungarian ChampionsHungarian LeagueThe Nemzeti Bajnokság is a Hungarian professional league for association football clubs. The league is currently known as the OTP Bank Liga for sponsorship reasons, and it is the highest level of professional league since its inception in 1901. UEFA currently ranks the league 35th in Europe.Sixteen...
: 4- 1926, 1927, 1928, 1932
- Hungarian Cup: 3
- 1927, 1928, 1933
- Mitropa CupMitropa CupThe Mitropa Cup, officially called the La Coupe de l'Europe Centrale was one of the first really international major European football cups for club sides...
: 1- 1928
Manager
Građanski Zagreb
- Yugoslav ChampionsYugoslav First LeagueThe Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
: 2- 1937, 1940
- Croatian Champions: 1
- 1943
MTK/Textiles/Bástya/Vörös Lobogó
- Hungarian ChampionsHungarian LeagueThe Nemzeti Bajnokság is a Hungarian professional league for association football clubs. The league is currently known as the OTP Bank Liga for sponsorship reasons, and it is the highest level of professional league since its inception in 1901. UEFA currently ranks the league 35th in Europe.Sixteen...
: 3- 1951, 1953, 1958
- Hungarian Cup: 1
- 1952
Olympiacos F.C.
- Alpha Ethniki
- 1966, 1967
Sources
- Behind The Curtain - Travels in Eastern European Football: Jonathan Wilson (2006) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behind-Curtain-Football-Eastern-Europe/dp/0752869078