{{Short description|Romanian footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name= Radu Sabo | image = | caption = | height = 1.78 m | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|9|13}} | birth_place = Cluj-Napoca, Romania | currentclub = | position = Midfielder | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Universitatea Cluj | years1 = 1988–1996 | years2 = 1996–1997 | years3 = 1997–1998 | years4 = 1998–2000 | years5 = 2000–2005 | years6 = 2005–2008 | years7 = 2008–2009 | years8 = 2010 | clubs1 = Universitatea Cluj | clubs2 = Gloria Bistrița | clubs3 = Baia Mare | clubs4 = Debrecen | clubs5 = Zalaegerszeg | clubs6 = Universitatea Cluj | clubs7 = Sănătatea Cluj | clubs8 = Sănătatea Cluj | caps1 = 186 | caps2 = 37 | caps3 = 11 | caps4 = 50 | caps5 = 136 | caps6 = 44 | caps7 = | caps8 = | goals1 = 36 | goals2 = 13 | goals3 = 1 | goals4 = 15 | goals5 = 32 | goals6 = 12 | goals7 = | goals8 = | manageryears1 = 2008–2009 | manageryears2 = 2009 | manageryears3 = 2010 | managerclubs1 = Sănătatea Cluj | managerclubs2 = Universitatea Cluj (assistant) | managerclubs3 = Sănătatea Cluj | totalcaps = 464 | totalgoals = 109 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | pcupdate = | ntupdate = }}
'''Radu Sabo''' (born 13 September 1971) is a Romanian former footballer who played as a midfielder.
==Playing career== ===Universitatea Cluj=== Sabo was born on 13 September 1971 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania and began playing junior-level football at local club Universitatea.<ref name=RS>{{RomanianSoccer|1755/radu-sabo}}</ref><ref name=4ever>{{cite web | url=https://www.4everucluj.ro/jucatori/radu-sabo/ | title=Radu Sabo profile| publisher=4everucluj.ro| language=Romanian}}</ref> On 14 December 1988, coach Remus Vlad gave him his Divizia A debut in Universitatea's 5–2 away loss to Victoria București in which he scored once.<ref name=RS/><ref name=4ever/> In 1991, the team was relegated to Divizia B, but Sabo stayed with the club, scoring five goals in the 25 matches coach Ioan Sdrobiș used him, helping the club get promoted back to the first league after one year.<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.4everucluj.ro/istorie/1991-1992/ | title=Universitatea Cluj 1991–92 season| publisher=4everucluj.ro| language=Romanian}}</ref> In the following four seasons he would appear regularly for the team, scoring a personal record of 12 goals in the 1995–96 season.<ref name=RS/><ref name=4ever/>
===Gloria Bistrița and Baia Mare=== In 1996, Sabo was transferred to Gloria Bistrița where he worked once again with Remus Vlad.<ref name=RS/><ref name=RSF>{{cite web|publisher=RomanianSoccer|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/europeancups/1996_97/bistrita_fiorentina_02.shtml|title=Fiorentina - Gloria Bistrita|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> He played four games in the 1996–97 Cup Winners' Cup, helping them eliminate Valletta in the qualifying round, being eliminated with 2–1 on aggregate by Gabriel Batistuta's Fiorentina in the first round.<ref name=RS/><ref name=RSF/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=RomanianSoccer|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/europeancups/1996_97/bistrita_fiorentina_02.shtml|title=Fiorentina - Gloria Bistrita|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> In the middle of the 1997–98 season, he left Gloria to join Divizia B club Baia Mare for half a year.<ref name=RS/>
===Debrecen=== In 1998, Sabo went abroad to Hungarian side, Debrecen where he was teammates with fellow Romanians Nicolae Ilea, Liviu Goian and Cornel Cașolțan.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MF>{{cite web|publisher=Magyarfutball.hu|url=https://www.magyarfutball.hu/hu/szemelyek/adatlap/11308/radu-sabo|title=Radu Sabo profile|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref><ref name=MF2>{{cite web|publisher=Magyarfutball.hu|url=https://www.magyarfutball.hu/hu/merkozesek/1998-08-01/diosgyor-debrecen|title=Diósgyőri FC - Debreceni VSC-Epona 0 : 0|date=August 1998 |access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.4everucluj.ro/debrecen-universitatea-cluj/ | title=Debrecen- Universitatea Cluj| publisher=4everucluj.ro| language=Romanian | date=17 January 2020 | access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.haon.hu/haon-sport-dvsc/2018/01/mi-lett-a-loki-egykori-roman-focistaival | title=Mi lett a Loki egykori román focistáival?| publisher=Haon.hu|trans-title=What happened to the former Romanian soccer players of Loki?| language=Hungarian | date=15 January 2018 | access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.tribuna.ro/stiri/tribuna-sporturilor/casoltan-in-vara-vreau-sa-vin-acasa-31410.html | title=Cașolțan: "În vară vreau să vin acasă"| publisher=Tribuna.ro|trans-title=Cașolțan: "In the summer I want to come home"| language=Romanian | date=19 January 2009 | access-date=3 December 2024}}</ref> He made his Nemzeti Bajnokság I debut on 1 August 1998 when coach András Herczeg sent him in the 69th minute to replace Gábor Bagoly in a 0–0 draw against Diósgyőr.<ref name=MF/><ref name=MF2/> On 14 November he scored his first goal in the league in a 2–1 away win over MTK Budapest.<ref name=MF/> He also scored in the following round in a 4–0 victory against Gázszer in which he also received a red card.<ref name=MF/> In his first game after his suspension, Sabo scored a brace against Diósgyőr, then in April 1999 he netted a hat-trick in a 6–1 success over Ferencváros.<ref name=MF/> At the end of the season, Sabo won the first trophy of his career when coach Lajos Garamvölgyi used him as a starter in the 2–1 win over Tatabánya in the 1998–99 Magyar Kupa final.<ref name=MF3>{{cite web|url=https://www.magyarfutball.hu/hu/merkozesek/1999-05-20/debrecen-tatabanya |title=Debreceni VSC-Epona - Lombard FC Tatabánya 2 : 1|date=20 May 1999 |publisher=Magyarfutball|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> In the following season he scored a brace in a 2–1 victory against VfL Wolfsburg in the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup first round, but the qualification was lost as they were defeated with 2–0 in the first leg.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MF/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe27521/radu-sabo/co132/uefa-europa-league/se2703/1999-2000/club-matches/|title=Radu Sabo. UEFA Cup 1999/2000|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref>
===Zalaegerszeg=== In 2000, Sabo was transferred to Zalaegerszeg.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MF/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=RSSSF|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesh/hong01.html|title=Hungary 2000/01|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the team on 29 September in a 1–1 draw against Videoton, netting nine goals in his first season, including three doubles in three wins against Videoton, Tatabánya and Vasas which helped the club avoid relegation.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MF/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=RSSSF|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesh/hong01.html|title=Hungary 2000/01|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> In the following season, coach Péter Bozsik gave him 29 appearances in which he scored four goals.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MF/> One of these goals was netted in a 1–1 draw against Ferencváros which helped the team earn the point that mathematically granted them the title.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MF/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ztefc.hu/index.php?pid=2001-2002_magyar_bajnok | title=A 2001-2002-ES EV magyar bajnoka a ZTE Football Club| publisher=Ztefc.ro| language=Hungarian |trans-title=The 2001-2002 EV Hungarian champion is ZTE Football Club| date= | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302001200/http://www.ztefc.hu/index.php?pid=2001-2002_magyar_bajnok| access-date=27 July 2024| archive-date=2 March 2008}}</ref> Afterwards he played in the 2002–03 Champions League qualifying rounds, appearing in both legs as Zalaegerszeg eliminated NK Zagreb, the team being defeated with 5–1 on aggregate in the following round by Manchester United, but without Sabo playing.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MF/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe27521/radu-sabo/co562/uefa-champions-league-qual/se2857/2002-2003/club-matches/|title=Radu Sabo. Champions League Qual. 2002/2003|access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/radu-sabo-a-fost-rezerva-la-zalaegerszeg-la-meciul-de-la-manchester-0-5-indicat-de-presa-britanica-drept-blat-pentru-pariuri-847091 | title=Radu Sabo a fost rezervă la Zalaegerszeg, la meciul de la Manchester (0-5), indicat de presa britanică drept blat pentru pariuri| publisher=Libertatea.ro|trans-title=Radu Sabo was a reserve in Zalaegerszeg, at the match in Manchester (0-5), indicated by the British press as a betting counter| language=Romanian | date=15 January 2018 | access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> Subsequently, the club played in the UEFA Cup first round where he appeared in both legs, scoring one goal in the eventual 9–1 loss on aggregate to Dinamo Zagreb.<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe27521/radu-sabo/co132/uefa-europa-league/se2756/2002-2003/club-matches/|title=Radu Sabo. Europa League 2002/2003|access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> He also netted a hat-trick in a 3–3 draw against Újpest in the league championship.<ref name=MF/> Sabo played three more seasons at Zalaegerszeg, accumulating a total of 186 Nemzeti Bajnokság I matches with 47 goals.<ref name=RS/>
===Return to Universitatea Cluj=== After eight seasons played in Hungary, Sabo returned to his first team, Universitatea Cluj, which was playing in the second league.<ref name=RS/><ref name=4ever/> He was the team's top-scorer during the 2006–07 season, as they earned promotion to the first league under coach Adrian Falub.<ref name=RS/><ref name=4ever/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.4everucluj.ro/istorie/2006-2007/ | title= Universitatea Cluj 2006–07 season| publisher=4everucluj.ro| language=Romanian}}</ref> In the following season he scored two goals in two losses to FC Vaslui and Dinamo București, having netted a total of 51 in his 218 matches in the Romanian first league.<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/u-cluj-2-3-fc-vaslui.html | title="U" Cluj 2-3 FC Vaslui| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian | date=25 August 2007 | access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/dinamo-prima-victorie-pe-teren-propriu.html | title=Dinamo - Prima victorie pe teren propriu| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Dinamo - The first victory on home ground| date=23 September 2007 | access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> His final appearance in the competition was in the last game of the season, a 1–0 loss in the Cluj derby against CFR after which the latter won the title and his side was relegated back to the second division.<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/stiri/868/liga-i-ultima-etapa-u-cluj--cfr-cluj-0-1.htm | title=Liga I, ultima etapa: "U" Cluj - CFR Cluj 0-1| publisher=Romaniansoccer.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Liga I, last stage: "U" Cluj - CFR Cluj 0-1| date=7 May 2008 | access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> Shortly afterwards he became a player-coach at Sănătatea Cluj where he played in the Romanian lower leagues until 2010.<ref name=RS/><ref name=4ever/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/radu-sabo-meritam-mai-mult-respect-2747471 | title=Radu Sabo:"Meritam mai mult respect"| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Radu Sabo:"I deserved more respect"| date=29 June 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705152133/https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/radu-sabo-meritam-mai-mult-respect-2747471| access-date=27 July 2024| archive-date=5 July 2008}}</ref>
==Coaching career== Sabo started coaching in 2008 when he was a player-coach at Sănătatea Cluj with whom he finished the season in 10th place in the Romanian third league.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tion.ro/clon-sport-local/a-salvat-sanatatea-radu-sabo-%E2%80%9E80-90-ramn-aici%E2%80%9D-633677/ | title=A salvat Sănătatea. Radu Sabo: "80-90% rămân aici!"| publisher=Tion.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=He saved Sănătatea. Radu Sabo: "80-90% stay here!"| date=9 June 2009 | access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://frfotbal.ro/index.php?competition_id=14&season=25&serie_id=220 | title=Liga III 2008/2009| publisher=Frfotbal.ro| language=Romanian| access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref> In October 2009 he was appointed as Cristian Dulca's assistant at Universitatea Cluj where he stayed for two months, returning in 2010 as player-coach at Sănătatea.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/seria-2/dulca-am-nevoie-de-sprijinul-fanilor-4975915 | title=Dulca: "Am nevoie de sprijinul fanilor"| publisher=Liga2.prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Dulca: "I need the support of the fans"| date=9 October 2009 | access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/fotbal-revine-radu-sabo-in-tricoul-lui-u-cluj-1033962.html | title=FOTBAL: Revine Radu Sabo în tricoul lui "U" Cluj?| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=FOOTBALL: Will Radu Sabo return in the shirt of "U" Cluj?| date=18 October 2009 | access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://zcj.ro/sport/--12724.html | title=Radu Sabo, demis fără ştirea antrenorului| publisher=Zcj.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Radu Sabo, dismissed without the coach's knowledge| date= | access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-2/batjocorit-166976.html | title=Batjocorit!| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Mocked!| date=9 December 2009 | access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://zcj.ro/sport/--11191.html | title=Radu Sabo revine la Sănătatea şi așteaptă restanțele de la "U"| publisher=Zcj.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Radu Sabo returns to Sănătatea and waits for the money he has to get from "U"| date= | access-date=27 July 2024}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/seria-1/cupa/duel-intre-doi-ex-uisti-sabo-se-bate-cu-popescu-in-cupa-6739651 | title=Duel între doi ex-uiști! Sabo se bate cu Popescu în Cupă| publisher=Liga2.prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Duel between two "U" former players! Sabo fights with Popescu in the Cup| date=27 July 2010| access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref>
==Honours== '''Universitatea Cluj''' *Liga II: 1991–92, 2006–07<ref name=RS/> '''Debrecen''' *Magyar Kupa: 1998–99<ref name=MF/><ref name=MF3/> '''Zalaegerszeg''' *Nemzeti Bajnokság I: 2001–02<ref name=RS/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{WorldFootball.net|radu-sabo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sabo, Radu}} Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:Romanian men's footballers Category:FC Universitatea Cluj players Category:CS Minaur Baia Mare (football) players Category:ACF Gloria Bistrița players Category:Romanian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Hungary Category:Debreceni VSC players Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Hungary Category:Zalaegerszegi TE players Category:Liga I players Category:Liga II players Category:Liga III players Category:Nemzeti Bajnokság I players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Footballers from Cluj-Napoca Category:Romanian football managers