Sándor Popovics (22 June 1939 – 1 July 2019) was a Hungarian-Dutch association football manager and a professional footballer in the position of forward.
Playing career Club As a footballer he played for Újpest Dózsa (1958–1960). When in 1960 he played a game in Austria, he defected from Soviet Union-oppressed Hungary.Hongaarse baltovenaars - NRC He continued his football career in Germany at SpVgg Fürth (1960–1963) and later moved to Holland to play for Sparta (1963–64), and FC Zaanstreek (1964–1966).
Managerial career After retiring form playing, Popovics coached Dutch amateur clubs Quick (1970–1971), MVV '27 (1971–1972), RFC Rotterdam (1972–1974), Overmaas (1974-1976), Unitas (1976–1977), Xerxes (1977–1978) and Barendrecht (1978–1980). The first professional team he managed was SVV Schiedam (1980–1981), then Belgian side KSV Waregem (1981–83). Back in the Netherlands he continued coaching professional teams De Graafschap (1983–1985), NEC Nijmegen (1985–1987), Cambuur (1988–1990),Popovic - NRC Excelsior Rotterdam (1990–1992), FC Eindhoven (1993–1994) and RBC Roosendaal (July 2010). At Roosendaal he left after six days as the club tried to have his unlicensed deputies do the main work. He also managed Hungarian club MTK Budapest twice and Belgian side Verbroedering Geel, succeeding Dimitri Mbuyu.Sandor Popovics traint Geel - De Standaard
Sándor Popovics held the position of general manager at ADO Den HaagHONGAAR POPOVICS WORDT MANAGER BIJ DEN HAAG - Volkskrant and was named head scout at NAC in February 2002Sandor Popovics hoofd scouting - NAC
Personal life He became a naturalized Dutch citizen in 1970.Sandor Popovics overleden - N.E.C. Popovics was married to Corrie, the ex-wife of Theo Laseroms,Oud-trainer Sandor Popovic (80) overleden - Capels Dagblad and was father-in-law of former NEC Nijmegen and Hungary goalkeeper Gábor Babos.Alarm, alarm, het nieuwe NEC komt eraan - De Trouwe Honden He suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died on 1 July 2019.Oud-trainer Popovics van De Graafschap en NEC overleden - Gelderlander
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