Director of football Zoltan Kovacs watched the first pre-season friendly, which was also the first game in charge for Henning Berg. Vidi lost by a single goal to Georgian side Csihura Szacshere. We spoke about the transfer period and the Europa League.

– Adam Bodi and David Barczi are two well known players for the Videoton supporters. They recently moved to the club. Were we looking to sign wingers at the start of the transfer window?

I would say that Adam Bodi was brought to the club as a winger, but he is also capable of playing to a high level inside. David Barczi can play behind the forward, in the position of a classical number 10. He is also capable of good performances. So we are not talking about wingers who stick to the line, but more universal players who have joined the squad. We really wanted to support Henning Berg in the attacking department, which is why I am pleased that both can strengthen us in the future.

– We are talking about two Hungarian players. Will there be any players arriving from abroad – for example a new forward?

I would not say that there are any priorities that a Hungarian player has arrived. The priority is for us to sign quality players. We have managed to do that so far, and let us not forget the players coming back from loan spells, who have the chance to show what they can do. There is a chance that there will be someone coming in from abroad, but I do not want to go into any concrete details. We are only at the start of the transfer window, which also creates difficulties for Hungarian clubs, that it has opened this early. The majority of players in western Europe leagues are now on their summer break. I am convinced that the two players that have already arrived have strengthened our attacking play. However, I would still like to bring in a quality striker. You must also realise that the entire world is trying to find a goalscorer. We are not thinking about doing things in half, but rather by searching for suitable players.

– You mentioned those players returning from loan deals. What role will they have, together with the young players at the training camp, for the autumn season ahead? 

They can feel that they have a big chance in front of them, but they need to fight for their place. I am sure that things will become clearer towards the end of the pre-season period as to what will best help us to develop. They are at the stage of their careers when they really need as much game time as possible. The most pleasing thing would be if they managed to convince everyone that they have a place in the first team squad. Patrik Schiller said himself that he was not counting on a chance like this, but he will try his best to make the most of it. Bence Varga has been training with the first team since the spring. Playing with the second team was also useful for him.

– We have spoken about players arriving, but several have also left the football club. Will there be others following them out of the door?

It is too early to talk about this as the new manager has only been working with the squad for two weeks. The feelings of the new manager will play a part in determining what will happen with regards to this question. It is good to see that everyone is working well together, and the players are extra motivated with the hard work. I am not just saying this as these are objective facts, and this is backed up by us using the most modern equipment, so that the coaching staff can really see how the players are performing everyday.

– Two central defenders, Roland Juhász and Adam Lang are out with the Hungarian national team at the European Championships. Has the absence of these two created any additional task in the area of transfers?
– There is no reason for anyone to worry, and this is a very comfortable problem to have. Sooner or later, and I hope it is later, they will return, and we will solve these positions within our squad.

– Three new members have joined the coaching team as well as Henning Berg. What has your experience been regarding them so far?

I am very optimistic regarding the coaching team. The three foreign members and Istvan Brockhauser all arrive with different footballing cultures. Although Henning Berg and Kazimierz Sokolowski had worked together previously, I can see that there is already a good bonding. Everyone has their own role and those members that arrived this summer are already working well with those that were already here and were working for the success of Videoton.

– You watched the teams first match of the pre-season. That saw Vidi lose to Georgian side Csihura Szacsheré by a single goal. What were your views regarding the match?

I feel that the most importing thing for the coaching team was to see those defensive elements from the players that have been worked on and have been covered in training. This could be seen especially in the first half. A total of 22 players were given match time, which is why the match was useful.