Pál Dárdai

{{BLP sources section|date=January 2018}}

Born in Pécs,{{cite web | url = https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/pal-dardai/4/ | title = Pál Dárdai | website = worldfootball.net | access-date = 30 August 2024}} Dárdai began his professional career with local Pécsi Mecsek FC, moving in January 1996 to Budapesti VSC. He helped his new club finish second in both the league and cup.

File:Pál Dárdai - Hertha BSC Berlin (3).jpg

In January 1997, Dárdai signed with Germany's Hertha BSC, appearing in ten matches for the 2. Bundesliga side before the end of the season, as the club was promoted to the top-flight Bundesliga. In 1998–99, he made 21 appearances (6 as a starter) as Hertha finished in third place, behind second-placed Bayer Leverkusen by one point.

On 13 November 2008, Dárdai marked his 250th Bundesliga appearance during the 1–0 win against 1899 Hoffenheim. Following the match, he thanked "the team and the fans".{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/725/bundesliga/2008/11/13/962927/hethas-dardai-on-reaching-250-game-mark|title=Hertha's Dardai on reaching 250 game mark|work=Goal (website)|date=13 November 2008|access-date=24 September 2014}}

On 16 January 2009, Dárdai damaged his meniscus during training. He was operated on by Gert Schleicher after returning to Berlin from Marbella in Spain, where Hertha spent their winter training camp.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/725/bundesliga/2009/01/16/1062911/herthas-dardai-to-go-under-knife|title=Hertha's Dardai to go under knife|work=Goal (website)|date=16 January 2009|access-date=24 September 2014}}

Hertha extended Dárdai's contract by one year on 28 May 2009, and he became the club's longest-serving player.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=germany-bundesliga-2000000019/news/newsid/106/358/5/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140918180641/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=germany-bundesliga-2000000019/news/newsid/106/358/5/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 September 2014|title=Dardai commits to Hertha|publisher=FIFA|date=28 May 2009|access-date=24 September 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2009/05/29/dardai-sticking-hertha|title=Dardai sticking with Hertha|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|date=28 November 2012|access-date=24 September 2014}}

He expressed his wish to further extend his link, stating, "I can imagine that I will end my career here in Berlin, but before I return to Hungary I want to fulfil my ambition and that is to win the championship and the cup." Dieter Hoeneß responded by saying the club would also like to keep him.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11893/2271533/dardai-wants-hertha-extension|title=Dardai wants Hertha extension|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Thomas|last=Zeh|date=28 May 2009|access-date=24 September 2014}}

Dárdai helped The Old Lady qualify several times for the UEFA Cup, appearing sparingly from 2004 to 2006 (33 total matches) but featuring heavily in the following years. From 2009, his appearances became less and less frequent: after only one match in the 2010–11 campaign – with eventually returning to the top level – and being demoted to the reserve team, the 35-year-old retired from football, having appeared in 297 league contests.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

Dárdai began playing for Hungary with the under-21s, in 1996. He made his senior debut in a friendly against Slovenia on 19 August 1998, and scored his first international goal on 10 October in an UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Azerbaijan, in the 58th minute of a 4–0 triumph.{{cite web | url = https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=10986 | title = Azerbaijan vs. Hungary, 10 October 1998 | website = eu-football.info | access-date = 30 August 2024}}

Often cast as starting central midfielder alongside Krisztián Lisztes, under managers Bertalan Bicskei and Imre Gellei, Dárdai captained the national side seven times in 2006, netting twice. On 15 November 2006, he was not included in Péter Várhidi's provisional 25-man squad for the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, but featured in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as Hungary was now managed by Erwin Koeman.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=867118.html#dardai+anything+possible|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909223741/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=867118.html#dardai+anything+possible|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 September 2008|title=Dardai: Anything is possible|publisher=FIFA|date=1 September 2008}}

In 2012, Dárdai began working as a coach at Hertha BSC, his assistants at the under-15 team being Admir Hamžagić and Jochem Ziegert.{{cite web|url=http://www.herthabsc.de/de/nachwuchs/u15-ziegert/page/2705--52--.html|title=Jochem Ziegert unterstützt Pal|trans-title=Jochem Ziegert assists Pal Dardai|publisher=Hertha BSC|language=de|year=2012|access-date=19 October 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.t-online.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/id_71824162/hertha-bsc-fordert-pal-dardai-zurueck.html|title=Hertha fordert Pal Dardai zurück|trans-title=Hertha wants Pal Dardai back|publisher=T-Online|language=de|date=17 November 2014|access-date=19 October 2015}}

On 18 September 2014, Dárdai was appointed as interim manager of the Hungary national team.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/244/157/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921062643/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/244/157/1/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2014|title=Hungary sack Pinter, bring in Dardai|publisher = FIFA|date=18 September 2014|access-date=24 September 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f93f11ebd-94534dac458c-1000--pinter-makes-way-for-dardai-as-hungary-coach/|title=Pintér makes way for Dárdai as Hungary coach|publisher=FIFA|date=18 September 2014|access-date=24 September 2014}} He turned down an offer from the Hungarian Football Federation ("MLSZ") to manage the side on a permanent basis,{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/pinter-entlassen---dardai-wird-ungarns-interimstrainer-612028/artikel|title=Pinter entlassen – Dardai wird Ungarns Interimstrainer|trans-title=Pinter dismissed – Dardai becomes interim manager of Hungary|publisher=kicker|language=de|date=18 September 2014|access-date=19 September 2014}} with the former's president Sándor Csányi confirming the latter would be in charge of three Euro 2016 qualifying matches for free.{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-dardai-ingyen-iranyitja-a-nemzeti-csapatot-2364355|title=Válogatott: Dárdai ingyen irányítja a nemzeti csapatot|trans-title=Confirmed: Dárdai coaches national team for free|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=18 September 2014|access-date=24 September 2014}}

On 23 September 2014, Zsolt Lőw, assistant coach of Red Bull Salzburg, was not permitted by his club to join Dárdai's coaching staff in the same capacity.{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-low-zsolt-nem-jon-nem-lesz-dardai-segitoje-2365363 | title=Válogatott: Lőw Zsolt nem jön, nem lesz Dárdai segítője|trans-title=Confirmed: Lőw Zsolt does not come, will not assist Dárdai|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|date=23 September 2014|access-date=24 September 2014}} The latter's debut took place on 11 October against Romania, a 1–1 draw in Bucharest.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f689cd48b-ead21685441a-1000--hungary-s-dzsudzsak-draws-sting-from-romania/|title=Hungary's Dzsudzsák draws sting from Romania|publisher=UEFA|date=11 October 2014|access-date= 18 October 2014}} Three days later, he managed his first win, prevailing 1–0 away against the Faroe Islands;{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2013886--faroe-islands-vs-hungary/|title=Hungary relieved to edge out Faroe Islands|publisher=UEFA|date=14 October 2014|access-date=16 January 2018}} he said after the second match that "the minimum aims were to get the three points".{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-dzsudzsakek-megerkeztek-ferihegyre-2370051|title=Dárdai: Kilencvenperces szenvedést láthattunk; jönnek az oroszok – hivatalos|trans-title=Dárdai: We witnessed a 90-minute suffering; the Russians are coming – official|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=15 October 2014|access-date=20 October 2014}}

Former international István Sallói said in an interview with Nemzeti Sport in October 2014 that, "Dárdai is the only chance for Hungarian football." The former was appointed by the latter as the aid to map the opponents of the national team, and also said, "In the last ten days it became incredible clear what type of work I have to do."{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-dardai-a-magyar-labdarugas-egyetlen-eselye-2370361|title=Válogatott: "Dárdai a magyar labdarúgás egyetlen esélye"|trans-title=Confirmed: "Dárdai is Hungarian football's only hope"|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=17 October 2014|access-date=18 October 2014}}

On 14 November 2014, Hungary won their first home match under Dárdai by beating Finland 1–0 thanks to Zoltán Gera's 84th-minute goal in the Euro 2016 qualifier at the Groupama Arena in Budapest.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f8196750a-9af0002f154f-1000--gera-strikes-late-as-hungary-edge-finland/|title=Gera strikes late as Hungary edge Finland|publisher=UEFA|date=14 November 2014|access-date=21 November 2014}} The following month, the MLSZ announced Dárdai would remain as manager until 30 November 2015,{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/248/979/0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210150232/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/248/979/0/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 December 2014|title=Dardai to stay on as Hungary coach|publisher=FIFA|date=9 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-dardai-pal-marad-a-magyar-szovetsegi-kapitany-2381667|title=Válogatott: Dárdai Pál marad a magyar szövetségi kapitány|trans-title=Confirmed: Dárdai Pál stays with Hungarian national team|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=9 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.herthabsc.de/de/intern/dardai-nationaltrainer/page/6771--17-17-.html|title=Pal Dardai bleibt Trainer der ungarischen Nationalelf|trans-title=Pal Dardai remains as coach of the Hungarian national team|publisher=Hertha BSC|language=de|date=9 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2014}} and he admitted that his son influenced him in making the decision by saying, "You have to return because without you they are not going to win."{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/video-az-mlsz-vagatlan-sajtotajekoztatoja-dardai-palrol-2381671|title=Videó: Apa, vissza kell menned, nélküled nem nyernek – Dárdai fia |trans-title=Video: Father, you have to return, they will not win without you – Dárdai son|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=9 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2014}}

After returning to Hertha BSC, Dárdai was replaced as Hungary manager by his former mentor, Bernd Storck.{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-storck-veszi-at-dardai-helyet-hivatalos-2427279|title=Válogatott: Storck veszi át Dárdai helyét – hivatalos|trans-title=National team: Storck takes Dárdai's place – official|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=20 July 2015|access-date=12 December 2015}}

In November 2015, Hungary under Storck qualified for the UEFA European Championship after a 44-year absence, and Dárdai stated in an interview with Hertha's official website that he built the base of the team while his successor added his part to reach the finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/magyar_valogatott/valogatott-alapot-epitettem-storck-hozzatette-a-magaet-dardai-2450405|title=Válogatott: alapot építettem, Storck hozzátette a magáét – Dárdai|trans-title=National team: I built the foundations, Storck added his bit – Dárdai|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=16 November 2015|access-date=12 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.herthabsc.de/de/teams/interview-pal-dardai-nach-ungarn/page/9497--45-45-.html|title=Stolz wie Pál!|trans-title=Proud as Pál!|publisher=Hertha BSC|language=de|date=16 November 2015|access-date=12 December 2015}}

On 5 February 2015, he was appointed interim manager of the main squad.{{cite news|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/sport/fussball-hertha-coach-luhukay-weg---dardai-interims-chef-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-150205-99-05107|title=Hertha-Coach Luhukay weg – Dardai Interims-Chef|trans-title=Hertha coach Luhukay gone – Dardai interim boss|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung|location=Berlin|language=de|date=5 February 2015|access-date=4 March 2015|archive-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103005053/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/sport/fussball-hertha-coach-luhukay-weg---dardai-interims-chef-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-150205-99-05107|url-status=dead}} His first match in charge was a 2–0 victory over Mainz 05 two days later.{{cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/german-bundesliga/story/2285987/dortmund-get-vital-win-at-freiburgbayern-munich-cruise-against-Stuttgart|title=Dortmund get vital win at Freiburg, Bayern Munich cruise at Stuttgart|publisher=ESPN FC|date=7 February 2015 | access-date = 21 April 2019}}

On 29 May 2015, Dárdai signed a permanent contract with Hertha.{{cite news|url=http://www.nemzetisport.hu/nemet_labdarugas/hertha-dardai-pal-alairta-szerzodeset-hivatalos-2416299|title=Hertha: Dárdai Pál aláírta szerződését – hivatalos|trans-title=Hertha: Dárdai Pál signed contract – official|publisher=Nemzeti Sport|language=hu|date=29 May 2015|access-date=16 January 2018}}

Hertha began the season{{cite web|title=Hertha BSC|url=https://www.kicker.de/hertha-bsc/spielplan/europa-league-qualifikation/2016-17|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=4 August 2016|language=de}} by getting eliminated from the UEFA Europa League{{cite news|last1=Da Silva|first1=Michael|title=Pukki hat trick knocks Hertha out of the Europa League|url=http://www.dw.com/en/pukki-hat-trick-knocks-hertha-out-of-the-europa-league/a-19450068|access-date=4 August 2016|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=4 August 2016}} in the third qualifying round{{cite news|title=Pukki beendet Herthas Traum von Europa|url=https://www.kicker.de/broendby-gegen-hertha-2016-europa-league-qualifikation-3345073/analyse|access-date=4 August 2016|publisher=kicker|language=de}} by Brøndby.

Hertha won the first leg 1–0{{cite news|title=Gute Ausgangslage dank Ibisevics Traumtor|url=https://www.kicker.de/hertha-gegen-broendby-2016-europa-league-qualifikation-3345072/analyse|access-date=4 August 2016|publisher=kicker|language=de}} and lost the second leg 3–1.

On 16 April during the 2018–19 Bundesliga season, it was announced Dárdai would be leaving his role at the end of the season and would return to a youth coach role in 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.herthabsc.de/en/teams/dardai-to-depart/page/1023--4-4-.html|title=New head coach to be appointed this summer | website = Hertha BSC | date = 16 April 2019 | access-date = 21 April 2019}}

After returning to the youth section, the senior team slumped under Bruno Labbadia, he once again took over the head coach duty on 25 January 2021 after Labbadia was sacked.{{Cite web |url=https://www.herthabsc.de/en/teams/pal-dardai-appointed-/page/1621--4-4-.html|title=Pál Dárdai takes over as head coach again|date=25 January 2021|website=herthabsc.de |publisher=Hertha BSC |access-date=25 January 2021}} He was sacked on 29 November 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.herthabsc.com/de/nachrichten/2021/11/trainerwechsel-dardai-korkut-2122|title=Tayfun Korkut übernimmt für Pál Dárdai|website=herthabsc.com|date=29 November 2021|access-date=29 November 2021}} He returned to manage Hertha in April 2023.{{cite news|date=16 April 2022|title=Pál Dárdai takes over from Sandro Schwarz|url=https://www.herthabsc.com/en/news/2023/04/hertha-part-ways-with-sandro-schwarz|access-date=16 April 2023|publisher=Hertha BSC}} After the 2023–24 season, the contract was not extended.{{cite news |url=https://www.herthabsc.com/de/nachrichten/2024/05/vertrag-pal-dardai-2324|title=Vertrag von Pál Dárdai endet|language=German |publisher=herthabsc.com |date=18 May 2024 |accessdate=18 May 2024}}

Dárdai is married and has three sons: Palkó, Márton and Bence. On 29 July 2023 Pál Dárdai played all three of his sons together at the same time for the first time in their Bundesliga 2 opener against Fortuna Düsseldorf.{{Cite web |date=29 July 2023 |title=Hertha coach played three sons on the field in the match of the Bundesliga 2 |url=https://www.championat.com/football/news-5187885-trener-gerty-vypustil-na-pole-troih-synovej-v-matche-vtoroj-bundesligi.html}}

On 20 July 2002, Balázs Dárdai, his brother and a midfielder for FC Barcs, died during a tournament after an artery burst when he jumped for a ball. His father, also named Pál (1951–2017) and the club's coach, were watching the game when it happened; Balázs was only 23 years old.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/europe/news/2002/0722/20020722herthadardai.html|title=Hertha's Dardai mourns after brother dies during game|publisher=ESPN FC|date=22 July 2002|access-date=24 September 2014}}

:Scores and results list Hungary's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dárdai goal.{{Cite news | url = http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=4255 | title = Dárdai Pál | publisher = European Football | access-date = 19 October 2015}}

{{updated|19 May 2024}}

Budapesti VSC

• Hungarian Cup runner-up: 1995–96

Hertha BSC{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/pal-dardai/1869|title=P. Dárdai – Trophies|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=24 September 2014}}

• 2. Bundesliga: 2010–11
• DFB-Ligapokal: 2001, 2002; runner-up: 2000
• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2006

Individual

• Hungarian Footballer of the Year: 2006{{cite web|url = http://sportgeza.hu/futball/aranyl1114|title=Dárdai Pálé a Magyar Aranylabda|trans-title=Dárdai Pál is Hungarian Golden Ball|publisher=Sport Geza|language=hu|date=14 November 2006|access-date=16 January 2018}}

{{reflist}}

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