Biography
Who is László Bölöni?
Early life and playing career
László Bölöni was born in Târgu Mureș, Romania, and attended the Alexandru Papiu Ilarian college. He began his football career at Chimica Târnăveni before moving to ASA Târgu Mureș in 1970. He played there until 1984, when he joined Steaua București. During his time at Steaua, he became an integral part of the team that won the 1986 European Cup, making it the only Romanian side to achieve this honor. He also won the European Super Cup with the team the following year.
As an international player, he earned 102 caps for the Romania national team and scored 23 goals. One of his most well-known international performances occurred in 1983 when he scored the winning goal against Italy in a Euro 84 qualification match. He was named Romanian Footballer of the Year twice and participated in 484 Divizia A games. In 1988, he left Romania to play in Belgium for Racing Jet Wavre and later in France for Créteil. He retired from professional football in 1992.
Managerial success in Europe
László began his coaching career at the French club Nancy, where he helped the team earn promotion to Division 1. He managed the Romania national team between 2000 and 2001. Following this, he joined the Portuguese club Sporting CP, where he won both the Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal in his first year. During his tenure at Sporting, he introduced young players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Hugo Viana, and Ricardo Quaresma to the senior team. He later coached Rennes in France, leading the club to its best league position in history and a UEFA Cup qualification.
In 2008, he became the manager of the Belgian team Standard Liège. He led the club to win the Belgian First Division title in the 2008-2009 season. Later, he moved to Greece to manage PAOK. Under his leadership, PAOK qualified for the group stage of the 2011-2012 UEFA Europa League and secured an undefeated record in their group, which included Tottenham Hotspur. He managed the team through a turbulent season before leaving in 2012.
International coaching and personal life
His career extended to the Middle East, where he managed Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates, Al Khor in Qatar, and Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. While at Al Khor in 2013, he was involved in a dispute with a ball boy and match officials, resulting in a fine and a five-match ban. He returned to Belgium in 2017 to manage Royal Antwerp. In his second season with the club, he led them to the championship play-offs and secured qualification for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in 26 years.
László Bölöni is 176 centimeters tall and is married to Klára Bölöni Zakariás. In 2008, he was decorated by the Romanian president with the Sport Merit Order for his contribution to the 1986 European Cup victory. Throughout his career, he has managed clubs in France, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, and the Middle East, establishing a long track record in professional football.
Birthday and age
László Bölöni was born on March 11, 1953, which makes László 73 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. László shares the date with 63 other famous people.
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