Hungary replace Koeman with Egervári

Sándor Egervári has replaced Erwin Koeman as Hungary coach as they prepare for their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying attempt.

The Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) said it had awarded Egervári an "indefinite-length contract" beginning on 1 August after deciding to part with Koeman. The Dutchman was appointed in 2008 and managed a promising FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, eventually finishing fourth but only three points behind second-placed Portugal.

Egervári, 60, marked himself out last year in guiding Hungary to third place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. He started his coaching career in 1983 with the MLSZ – assisting György Mezey in charge of the national team that reached the World Cup three years later, the country's most recent final tournament appearance.

Going on to coach BVSC Budapest, Érdi VSE, Saudi club Al Ittihad, MTK Hungária FC, Dunaújváros FC, Vasas SC, Al Salmiya in Kuwait – where he was once on the national-team staff – and Győri ETO, Egervári returned to the MLSZ in 2009 to lead Hungary's U20 and U21 sides.

His successor as U21 coach is former Hungarian international Antal Róth, who departs Haladás FC, while Tibor Nyilasi is the new sporting director overseeing coach education, amateur, youth, women's football and futsal. József Both takes over as technical director. Egervári's first game will be a friendly against England at Wembley on 11 August. Hungary's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying bid begins in Sweden on 3 September with the Netherlands, Finland, Moldova and San Marino also in Group E.