Slovakia National Team Coach Calzona and SFZ Face Financial Difficulties

The Slovak Football Association (SFZ) is grappling with significant financial challenges, including a reported deficit of €6.5 million and delayed payments to key personnel, including national team coach Francesco Calzona. The situation raises questions about the future of Calzona’s contract and the SFZ’s ability to maintain its current coaching staff.

Calzona’s Salary and Payment Delays

Francesco Calzona, appointed head coach of the Slovakia national team on August 30, 2022, currently earns a monthly salary of €70,000, totaling €840,000 annually. He is currently owed €140,000 for November and December 2025. SFZ President Ján Kováčik acknowledged that Calzona’s salary payments have been delayed for three months.

Previous reports in 2024 estimated Calzona’s annual salary at €540,000, but leaked documents reveal a higher figure. Calzona successfully led Slovakia to a play-off for the 2026 World Cup in America.

Compensation for Calzona’s Staff

Calzona’s coaching staff also receives substantial compensation. Assistant coach Gianluca Segarelli and fitness trainer Alessandro Bulfoni each earn €6,000 per month. Technical manager Giovanni Paolo De Matteis earns €12,000 monthly, while Simone Bonomi, Calzona’s right-hand man, receives €14,300 per month. The total monthly cost for Calzona and his implementation team is approximately €114,300, or €1.37 million annually.

Here’s a breakdown of outstanding payments:

• Calzona Francesco (coach): €70,000 (due December 3, 2025), €70,000 (due December 31, 2025)
• Gianluca Segarelli (assistant coach): €6,000 (due December 3, 2025), €6,000 (due December 31, 2025)
• Alessandro Bulfoni (fitness trainer): €6,000 (due December 31, 2025)
• Giovanni Paolo De Matteis (technical manager): €12,000 (due December 31, 2025)
• Simone Bonomi (assistant coach): €14,300 (due December 15, 2025), €14,300 (due December 31, 2025)
• Marco Brini (video analyst): €6,000 (due December 17, 2025), €6,000 (due December 31, 2025)

Historical Comparison of Slovak Coach Salaries

Current salaries are significantly higher than those of previous national team coaches. Ján Kozák st., who led the team from 2013 to 2018, started with a salary of €15,000, later increasing to €26,000. His assistant earned €5,000 per month. Pavel Hapal and Štefan Tarkovič had similar compensation. Even Vladimír Weiss senior, who coached the team from 2008 to 2012, initially earned €10,000 per month, rising to €35,000 later in his tenure.

Here’s a historical overview of monthly salaries for Slovak coaches (in euros):

• Jozef Vengloš – 2000
• Jozef Jankech – 1000
• Jozef Adamec – 2700
• Ladislav Jurkemik – 3300
• Dušan Gališ – 3300
• Ján Kocian – 10,000
• Vladimír Weiss senior – 10,000, later 35,000
• Stanislav Griga and Michal Hipp – 15,000 each
• Ján Kozák st. – 15,000, later 26,000
• Pavel Hapal – 15,000
• Štefan Tarkovič – 15,000
• Francesco Calzona – 40 to 45,000, later 70,000

Calzona’s Contract and Future

Calzona’s contract with the SFZ is set to expire after the qualification process for the 2026 World Cup. Negotiations are underway regarding a potential extension, with both parties expressing interest in continuing their collaboration. SFZ President Ján Kováčik indicated discussions are also focused on expanding Calzona’s involvement with youth national teams.

Comparison to Top National Team Coaches

While not among the highest-paid national team coaches globally, Calzona’s salary is competitive. Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil) earns approximately €9.5 million per year, while Thomas Tuchel (England) earns around €5.8 million. Mauricio Pochettino (USA) earns approximately €5.2 million. Japan’s Hajime Moriyasu earns around €1 million per year, comparable to Calzona’s approximate €840,000 annual income.

Slovak Football Association is facing a critical period, and the resolution of these financial issues will be crucial for the future of Slovakian football.