Welcome Martin Orosz!
We’re pleased to introduce Martin Orosz as the new Youth Sporting Director at FC Lokomotíva Košice. To mark the occasion, we sat down with him for a quick chat.
Martin, you’ve just taken on the role of Youth Sporting Director at Lokomotíva Košice. How did this collaboration come about?
“Hello. I’m originally from Košice, and as a boy I used to go to the stadium with my late grandfather. Lokomotíva is now celebrating 80 years, and I’ve been following the club’s situation for some time. I got the first call from the club a little over six months ago, and that’s when the idea of joining started to form. At the time, I was running my own sports project and Loky were in the thick of last season. The timing felt right, and I officially accepted the offer on July 15, 2025. I spent about a month analysing the situation before signing, and I approached the role with respect and full commitment.”
Loky is a traditional Košice club, with a senior team in the 3rd league and a full youth structure. What’s your sporting vision for the club?
“To be clear, my role focuses on youth development, so I’m responsible for decisions around the youth section. Our primary goal is stability across the board. After a tough season, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and rebuild from the ground up—and that process is already underway.
We’re aiming to move forward step by step—setting up clear responsibilities, improving communication lines, building strong relationships with parents, the public and partners, developing coaching expertise, implementing the club’s philosophy, keeping an eye on finances, and most importantly, supporting our youth both on the pitch and in terms of personal development. These are all short-term goals that will take time, patience, and support from our fans—which I’m already grateful for.
In the long term, I see Lokomotíva as a club capable of running a proper football academy, producing players who can compete at least at the second league level.”
You’ve worked in the Košice football scene before. Could you share a bit more about your coaching and management experience?
“Of course. In short, my background combines both coaching and management experience, at home and abroad. I spent ten wonderful seasons on the British Isles, starting out with local amateur clubs, learning and observing how football is run at different levels.
After about four years, I passed the entry process at Brighton & Hove Albion FC, a Premier League club. That gave me a chance to see how professional youth development really works. I valued every single day—it felt like a reward for my earlier efforts.
As a coach, I’ve worked with everything from junior teams to senior squads, so I understand the full player development pathway.
After returning to Slovakia, I joined the West Ham project at Košice FC, working alongside the former Academy Director Greg de Carnys, who I’m very thankful to for his personal and professional mentorship. I’ve also coached at several local Košice clubs, where I’ve tried to pass on everything I’ve learned.
Beyond coaching and setting up football structures, I’ve worked in business and management for over 15 years, and I hold a management licence I earned in the UK after five years of study. I’ve led sales departments and handled international client relations. Now, I’d like to bring all that together and put it to work for Lokomotíva Košice and its supporters, who truly deserve it.”
Our current Sporting Director, Milan Miklušičák, has played a big role at the club. Will your cooperation continue?
“Milan is the heart of this club. He’s a true fighter who never gave up, even during the toughest times. He’ll now take on the key role of Youth Coordinator—a role that, I believe, no one else could fill so well right now.
I’m genuinely looking forward to working with him. He’s humble, hardworking, and incredibly knowledgeable. My role will be to lead the youth section from a sporting perspective—ensuring quality training, implementing a coaching philosophy, and making sure we stick to it.
Of course, I expect challenges ahead, but I’m ready to face them together with Mr. Miklušičák.”
After your arrival, the club faced some challenges with youth coaching staff. Has the situation stabilised?
“I’ll be honest—it was disappointing to see the coaching staff fall apart the way it did. I understand their decisions and I respect them. I wish all of them the best in their careers and personal lives—this path isn’t easy.
We’ve worked hard to stabilise the situation and have reached agreements with new coaches—some experienced, some ambitious. What they all share is the will and desire to help rebuild Loky’s youth section. I’m excited to work with them and confident they’ll keep growing in their roles.”
The club is entering a new era of youth development. Do you have a message for current players, their parents, and new kids who want to join?
“Let me start with the new players—our doors are open to anyone who’s willing to work hard. If you love the game, you’re not doing it for fame or money.
To the parents—I ask for your support. Encourage your children, stay positive, help them learn from setbacks, and trust the process. We want to work with you honestly and openly, in a respectful partnership. We’ll keep our promises as coaches and as a club, and we ask that you do the same.
Only by working together can we build something that we’ll all be proud of. And how will we do it? Full steam ahead!”
A key challenge will be strengthening and rebuilding our youth squads. What’s your vision there?
“That’s a great follow-up. In the past, youth selections were based on quality—the best players made the teams. But in Košice, and across Slovakia, that’s changed. There are more clubs, and now everyone’s competing for kids. Instead of selection, we’ve got mass recruitment. Anyone who can run and kick a ball is playing.
That’s great in terms of physical activity, but it’s not how academies develop top talent.
If we want to raise standards, we need to return to proper player selection—picking the best of the best. That’s our goal. Lokomotíva is a respected name. If we do things right, we’ll restore that reputation and bring pride back to Čermeľ.
But it will take time and hard work. Let’s not expect miracles overnight.”
Last season, our youth teams played matches in Barca and at the Čermeľ stadium. Where will training and games take place this season?
“That’s really a question for Mr. Miklušičák as the main youth coordinator, but as far as I know:
- Younger age groups and pre-academy teams will be based at Požiarnická
- Older youth squads will likely split time between Požiarnická and Užhorodská
- U19s and senior teams will share the pitch in Čermeľ
As far as I know, FC Lokomotíva won’t be training in Barca this season.”
We plan to open up new registrations for youth players. How can someone join?
“It’s very simple. We welcome anyone who’s interested to come in for a trial. Each trial includes three training sessions, after which we provide feedback together with the player and parent.
To apply, just send an email to: m.mikulsicak@fclokomotiva.sk“
Last season we had 11 youth teams. Recently, there were discussions about cancelling Loky U16 (formerly U19 B) and the WU15 girls team. What’s the latest on that?
“The U16 team has been officially dissolved.
As for the WU15 girls team, we’re in the process of building it again. There’s hope we’ll attract more enthusiastic young footballers and offer them a proper training environment.”
Lokomotíva Košice holds an official Youth Talent Development (ÚTM) license. What’s the situation regarding its renewal and the club’s future status?
“Meeting the requirements for ÚTM is incredibly demanding. It takes a huge collective effort from the entire club to maintain that status.
Improving facilities, streamlining processes, and investing in coach education are essential as we work toward our next goal—Football Academy status.
That’s our dream, and we’re working hard to make it happen. Keep your fingers crossed for us. Thank you.”
