Hungarian federation ends contract with Talant Dujshebaev

Following a disappointing 12th place at the Men’s EHF EURO 2016 and the subsequent failure to reach one of the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, the Hungarian Handball Federation has ended the contract with its men’s national team head coach Talant Dujshebaev in mutual consent.

At the same time the federation announced on Tuesday that Ambros Martin, coach of Györi Audi ETO KC, and Gábor Elek, coach of FTC Rail-Cargo Hungaria – both teams play in the Women’s EHF Champions League – will take over the women’s national team.

The previous women’s head coach, Andras Nemeth, had stepped down following Hungary’s 11th rank at the Women’s World Championship 2015 in Denmark.

Martin and Elek will form a trio at the women’s helm together with Beata Siti.

The news of the Dujshebaev’s dismissal was accompanied by a federation statement that one requirement for the future men’s head coach would be to have his permanent residence in Hungary.

“We are disappointed because for me and many others Rio 2016 would have been the last chance to play at Olympic Games,” said Hungary’s team captain Laszlo Nagy.

“There were nine rookies in the team and in that respect I think 12th place is a realistic result. Talant Dujshebaev put maximum trust in us, but in the he failed.

“He overestimated the skills of the players and treated us as if we had played together for the entire year. Now we face the World Championship Qualification and we have the difficult task to work hard and bring back success.”

Hungary will face Serbia in the World Championship Play-offs in June.

Talant Dujshebaev was the third coach that was released from his post following the EHF EURO 2016.

First Aron Kristjansson had stepped down as Iceland coach after his team failed to reach the main round, then Michael Biegler resigned after Poland missed the semi-final.