Our U15 and U16 teams will begin the 2026–2027 season away from home in Târgoviște on Saturday, while the U17 and U18 sides will open their campaigns in Pitești on Sunday. Ahead of the first round, we spoke to Zoltán Dusinszki, technical director of the Székelyföld Football Academy.

Our U15 and U16 teams will begin the 2026–2027 season away from home in Târgoviște on Saturday, while the U17 and U18 sides will open their campaigns in Pitești on Sunday. Ahead of the first round, we spoke to Zoltán Dusinszki, technical director of the Székelyföld Football Academy, about the summer preparations, the composition of the squads and coaching staffs, the objectives for each age group and the stability of the academy’s operations.

Our teams will first take to the pitch in Târgoviște on Saturday, with the U16s facing Chindia at 12 noon and the U15s playing at 2 p.m. Our opening round will continue in Pitești on Sunday, where the U17s will face FC Argeș at 10 a.m., followed by the U18 match at 12 noon. All our academy teams will therefore begin the new season away from home.

– What new developments and changes will the Székelyföld Football Academy bring into the new season?

– We have continued our professional work in the same way as in previous years. The composition of the coaching staffs has not changed, although the players will work with new coaches as they move up to the next age group. The U18 team competing in the Youth League and the U17 side will continue to be led by Goran Kopunović and Szilárd Mitra. Zoltán Fogarasi remains in charge of the U16s, while Bernát Burus has taken over the U15 team, the academy’s youngest age group. With the older age groups, assistant coach Endre Méhes, fitness coach Norbert Dénes, goalkeeping coach Tiberiu Lung and sports psychologist Sarolta Fábián-Dusinski support the work. The staff working with the younger age groups includes assistant coach Szabolcs Bartis, fitness coach Ervin Fodor, goalkeeping coach Alpár Bartók and mental coach Imre Kánya.

– How did the summer preparations go, and what work were you able to complete before the start of the league season?

– The players had little time to rest this summer, as we began preparations on 7 July. We had five weeks before the start of the league season, which I consider sufficient, and the preparation period was successful. During this time, we completed the physical groundwork as well as the technical and tactical preparation with every age group, while all our teams also participated in an international KMAR tournament. This week, we are only making the final adjustments so that we can begin the 2026–2027 season with the players who are in the best form.

– How much have the squads changed compared with last season?

– Last season’s squads have not changed significantly: two players joined the U17 team and one arrived at U16 level. Our main task was to finalise the U15 squad. Through our spring trials and with the help of our scouting network, we managed to recruit eight new players. The coaching staff will have more work to do with this age group until the new arrivals understand the academy’s core principles and are able to apply them on the pitch.

– What objectives have you set for the new season? Will the focus be on results, individual development or preparing the players for senior football?

– I believe we need to meet all three expectations. At the oldest age group, we already need to place considerable emphasis on results, but the players’ physical and tactical development is equally important, as they are now on the threshold of senior football. With the other age groups, the focus will be on individual development and fine-tuning the team’s play, and these should also be reflected in the team’s results. At U15 level, learning the core principles and achieving technical and tactical development are the most important objectives.

– What role do you envisage this season for the young players who have already moved close to the first-team squad?

– The players who delivered outstanding performances last season were given the opportunity to train with the first-team squad. Until they reach the level at which they can become regular starters for the senior team, they can gain match experience in the Youth League. We would also like to take advantage of the new opportunity created by the Romanian Football Federation: we can sign a cooperation agreement with a second-division club, allowing our young players to gain valuable minutes there as well.

– To what extent have the recent economic and funding uncertainties affected the academy? Is its operation or long-term stability under threat?

– This season, just as in previous years, the academy has continued to provide excellent conditions: all our age groups have been able to participate in tournaments and training camps. At present, we have seen no signs of any problems at the academy. The coaching staffs have also remained in place. We reorganised them last year and, in my opinion, the new structure worked well, which is why we began this year’s work with the same set-up.

– What is your message to parents and supporters ahead of the new season?

– My message is to trust the coaching staff at FK Csíkszereda, because we are doing everything we can to provide our young athletes with the best possible training and education.

R. A.
Photo: Zoltán Pál