Zoltan Sabo (; ; 26 May 1972 â 15 December 2020) was a Serbian professional football player and manager. During his playing career, he was a defender. He also held Hungarian citizenship.
In 1991, Sabo began his playing career at Hajduk Kula, newly promoted to the Yugoslav Second League. In his first senior career, he contributed to Hajduk's promotion to the First League of FR Yugoslavia. Prior to the next season, he transferred to another First League club Vojvodina.
In 1996, Sabo moved to Partizan at the same league. While playing for Partizan for four years, he won two First League titles and one FR Yugoslavia Cup title.
In 2000, Sabo joined K League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Suwon registered his name as "Zoli", hoping he would successfully replace their previous defender Cosmin OlÃÂroiu, called "Oli". He was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2000âÂÂ01 Asian Club Championship after helping the club win the tournament. In 2002, he left for J2 League club Avispa Fukuoka.
During the 2003âÂÂ04 season, Sabo played for Cypriot First Division club AEK Larnaca, winning the Cypriot Cup.
After a stint as assistant coach to Tomislav Siviàat Nemzeti Bajnokság II champions Kecskemét, Sabo began his managerial career at the helm of his hometown club RadniÃÂki Sombor in October 2009. He spent the next two years at the position before leaving the side in November 2011. A month later, Sabo was appointed manager at Hajduk Kula.
Between 2013 and 2015, Sabo worked as assistant coach to Zlatomir ZagorÃÂiÃÂ at Litex Lovech of Bulgaria's top division, A Group, and two Serbian SuperLiga clubs, namely Donji Srem and Vojvodina. On 16 January 2016, he restarted his managerial career at Serbian First League club Proleter Novi Sad.
After performing the role of a director at First League club TSC for a while, Sabo was promoted to a manager on 21 August 2018. In the 2018âÂÂ19 season, he won the First League title, leading the club to be promoted to the SuperLiga. The next season, his team finished fourth at the SuperLiga, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.
Sabo died of a heart attack on 15 December 2020, aged 48, after suffering from COVID-19.
Partizan
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
AEK Larnaca
Individual
TSC