The two managers spoke to the media shortly after Saturday's final whistle.
Marko Nikolic: "I firstly want to start by saying that it is a pity that Haladas have been relegated. They have a lovely stadium and the club is full of tradition. Their supporters are also very good and I do not think it is good for Hungarian football to have a club like this in the second division. I hope that they get promoted back as soon as possible. Returning to the game: it was a more intensive game than I was expecting and there were plenty of chances at both ends. The game could have been settled by either side in this match. You could see that the team was rotated and also in the match. I hope that the injury to Attila Fiola is not serious and that everyone is ready and available for next week's Hungarian Cup final."
The press conference also included the fact that it was Marko Nikolic' 100th game in charge of Vidi. He was asked what other clubs have shown interest in him and also whether current Haladas player Funsho Bangboye would become a Vidi player. "I am naturally pleased to have managed my 100th game in charge of Vidi but the most important is that we end up celebrating my 101st, which is the cup final. That would mean within two years that we have won the league title, reached the Champions League play off and also the group stage in the Europa League. It would be good to add a trophy to that as well. Regarding the rumours, all I can say is that there has been interest in me but my relationship with the management of this club is very straight. I have a contract so I am planning on staying. I think that is a good feedback for the club if other clubs are looking at their manager. With regards to the Haladas player: transfers are not my responsibility at the club, but he is a good young player. We also have several interested players both in Hungary and abroad. I hope that we will know as soon as we can which players will be coming in to strengthen us next season."
Horváth Ferenc: "We had the match in our hands against a very good side. We had the ball in our opponents half. I consider this a big thing as Vidi are a good side and prepare for the league season in different circumstances. I felt with the goal we conceded that it represented the whole season. To concede a silly goal after this match was sad. It would have been good to close the season with a win but the team still did all it could to avoid relegation. We built this team up from nothing and we ended the spring season in fourth place if I understand well. I have learned such things here that I never did learn on an educational course. How you can prepare a team for example that pays the salary late or how you can motivate a team when there is nothing to play for in the last game. I wish the club to return back to the first division as soon as they can as the supporters deserve this. I cannot talk about what will happen now as my contract has ended and there are no options built in. It is important for Hungarian football to have Haladas in the NB I."
Author: David Rechnitzer