Slovakia’s Football Association Faces Financial Strain Amidst High Coach Salaries
Slovakia’s football governing body, the SFZ, is grappling with significant financial difficulties, currently operating with a deficit of 6.5 million euros. This comes as revelations surface regarding the substantial salaries paid to the national team’s coaching staff, particularly head coach Francesco Calzona.
Calzona’s Lucrative Contract and Outstanding Payments
Documents obtained by Sport24.sk reveal that Francesco Calzona earns a monthly salary of 70,000 euros. This equates to an annual income of 840,000 euros, significantly higher than previous estimates. The SFZ currently owes Calzona 140,000 euros in unpaid wages for November and December 2025. SFZ President Ján Kováčik acknowledged that Calzona has experienced delays in receiving his payments on multiple occasions.
The Cost of the Italian Coaching Team
The financial burden extends beyond Calzona’s salary. His entire Italian coaching team costs the SFZ 114,300 euros per month, or 1.37 million euros annually. Breakdown of the team’s salaries includes:
- Gianluca Segarelli (Assistant Coach): 6,000 euros/month
- Alessandro Bulfoni (Fitness Coach): 6,000 euros/month
- Marco Brini (Video Analyst): 6,000 euros/month
- Giovanni Paolo De Matteis (Technical Manager): 12,000 euros/month
- Simone Bonomi (Assistant Coach): 14,300 euros/month
A Historical Perspective on Slovakian Coach Salaries
The current coaching salaries represent a substantial increase compared to previous eras. Ján Kozák, who led the national team to EURO 2016, initially earned 15,000 euros per month, later increasing to 26,000 euros. Past coaches like Vladimír Weiss Sr. Saw their salaries rise from 10,000 to 35,000 euros during their tenure. Earlier coaches such as Jozef Vengloš and Jozef Jankech earned significantly less, at 2,000 and 1,000 euros respectively.
Financial Concerns and Contract Renewal
The SFZ’s financial woes raise questions about its ability to continue affording Calzona’s high salary. Kováčik has indicated ongoing discussions with Calzona regarding a potential contract renewal, but the financial aspects have not yet been addressed. The SFZ is currently operating with a 7.84 million euro deficit.
Key Financial Figures
- SFZ Deficit: 6.5 million euros
- Calzona’s Monthly Salary: 70,000 euros
- Total Cost of Italian Coaching Team (Monthly): 114,300 euros
- SFZ Debt to Calzona: 140,000 euros
Comparing Calzona’s Salary to Global Standards
Although Calzona’s salary is substantial for the Slovakian context, it remains competitive on the international stage. Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil) earns approximately 9.5 million euros annually, while Thomas Tuchel (England) earns around 5.8 million euros. Calzona’s estimated 840,000 euros annual income places him within a similar range as some other national team managers.
FAQ
Q: How much does Francesco Calzona earn per month?
A: 70,000 euros.
Q: What is the SFZ’s current financial deficit?
A: 6.5 million euros.
Q: How much does the SFZ owe Calzona in unpaid wages?
A: 140,000 euros.
Q: Has the SFZ discussed a contract renewal with Calzona?
A: Yes, discussions are ongoing, but financial details haven’t been addressed.
Q: How do Calzona’s earnings compare to previous Slovakian national team coaches?
A: Calzona’s salary is significantly higher than that of his predecessors.
Did you know? Calzona’s monthly salary is more than double the annual salary of some of Slovakia’s previous national team coaches.
Explore more articles on Slovakia’s Football Association to stay informed about the latest developments.
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