---
title: "\"They forgot my number\": Jozsef Szabo explained why Hungarian media stopped communicating with him"
description: "Legendary Ukrainian coach Jozsef Szabo stated that Hungarian media stopped interviewing him following his sharp criticism of Viktor Orban."
date: 2026-09-26T10:22:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/jozsef-szabo-explained-why-hungarian-media-stopped-communicating
tags: [yozhef-szabo, hungary, viktor-orban, football, media-scandal]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "They forgot my number": Jozsef Szabo explained why Hungarian media stopped communicating with him

![Jozsef Szabo gives an interview to Ukrainian media](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/26/yozhef-sabo-obyasnil-pochemu-s-nim-perestali-obshchatsya-vengerskie-smi/yozhef-sabo-obyasnil-pochemu-s-nim-perestali-obshchatsya-vengerskie-smi-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Jozsef Szabo reported a boycott by Hungarian media outlets.
- The breakdown in communication was triggered by the coach's harsh remarks about Orban.
- Szabo expressed skepticism regarding opposition politician Peter Magyar.

Well-known former Ukrainian footballer and coach Jozsef Szabo has faced an unexpected boycott from the mass media of neighboring Hungary. According to the specialist, Hungarian journalists who previously regularly contacted him for expert assessments, comments, and predictions on sports matches have completely stopped all communication.

### Reasons for the media boycott

 The situation in the media field changed dramatically after Jozsef Szabo openly and harshly spoke out against the political leadership of Hungary. The coach did not hide his negative attitude towards the country's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which provoked an immediate reaction from foreign journalists. As the veteran of Ukrainian sports noted himself, after his critical statements, phone calls from Budapest stopped once and for all.### Assessment of political changes

Furthermore, in his interview, Jozsef Szabo touched upon the topic of general changes in the political arena of Hungary, commenting, among other things, on the position of Peter Magyar. According to the experienced coach, a simple change of political figures at the top of power is not able to radically reverse the internal and external vector of the state. Szabo expressed skepticism, noting that new opposition leaders also demonstrate hidden or overt sympathy for the Russian leadership.

### Reaction of the sports community

Such statements by the Ukrainian specialist once again emphasize the close connection between modern big-time sport and big geopolitics. Jozsef Szabo, who holds authority in football circles, is not afraid to openly express his civic position, despite inevitable reputational costs and the loss of contacts with foreign media colleagues.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- ["Забыли мой номер": Йожеф Сабо объяснил, почему с ним перестали общаться венгерские СМИ](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/zabuli-miy-nomer-yozhef-sabo-poyasniv-chomu-1790414626.html) - Основной источник интервью и цитат Йожефа Сабо.
- [Йожеф САБО: «Они забыли мой номер. Этот человек симпатизирует путину»](https://sport.ua/news/909924-yozhef-sabo-oni-zabyli-moy-nomer-etot-chelovek-simpatiziruet-putinu) - Первоисточник цитат тренера об общении с прессой.
- [Сабо резко высказался о Динамо после поражения в матче ЛК](https://korrespondent.net/sport/football/4836306-sabo-rezko-vyskazalsia-o-dynamo-posle-porazhenyia-v-matche-lk) - Подтверждено по источнику korrespondent.net
- [Сабо: Из нынешнего Динамо в моей команде мало кто бы играл](https://www.ua-football.com/foreign/europa_league/1784875555-sabo-iz-nyneshnego-dinamo-v-moey-komande-malo-kto-by-igral.html) - Подтверждено по источнику ua-football.com

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Why did Hungarian media stop communicating with Jozsef Szabo?
**A:** Communication ceased after the Ukrainian coach made harsh public statements targeting Hungary's political leadership and Viktor Orban.

### Q: How did Szabo assess political shifts in Hungary?
**A:** Szabo believes that replacing leaders, including Peter Magyar, does not change the overall vector because new figures also sympathize with Vladimir Putin.