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Joseph Szabo, born May 11, 1896 in Gönyű, Hungary, He stood out as a coach in Portuguese footballespecially at the service of Sporting Clube de Portugal, where it is remembered by its rigorous discipline, innovative methods and historical numbers, as Ruben Amorim achieved during his recent passage to Alvalade.

Before you take a coach career, Szabo was a soccer playerwhere he acted as average at Ferencváros, one of the main Hungarian clubs, and represented the Hungary selection on 12 occasions. In 1926, during a tour of Portugal with Szombathely, it caught the attention of the leaders of Madeira's national, which invited him to stay in the country. He accepted the invitation and later played also for the sea.

In 1930, Szabo assumed the role of coach-player at Portowhere he won the first the national championship in the 1934/35 season, as well as several regional championships. Known for his dedication and discipline, he implemented demanding training methods, including restrictions on tobacco consumption, alcohol and even sexual activities before games, as well as fines for training delays. His mindset was clear: “In football, success takes 10 percent of genius and 90 percent perspiration.”

In 1937, Szabo was hired by Sportingstarting one of the most victorious periods in club history. For eight years, he won six Lisbon championships, two national championships, a Portuguese championship, a Portuguese cup and the Empire Cup. Was responsible for launching the bases of the team that would be known as the “five violins”standing out in the formation of players such as Peyroteo and Jesus Correia.

Szabo was not limited to training the main team, was dedicated to all categoriesfrom the initiates to the seniors, providing physical preparation, tactical training and even worked as a masseuse. His meticulous and authoritarian approach has won him respect and admirationalthough not always consensual among players and leaders.

After leaving Sporting in 1945, Szabo continued his career in several Portuguese clubsincluding a return to Porto, having won more regional titles. He naturalized Portuguese and, at the end of his life, collaborated with the young layers of Sporting. Died on March 17, 1973, 76, and He is remembered as the coach who has played the most games and won the lions.