MŠK Žilina

Early years

The club was founded towards the end of 1908 under the Hungarian name Zsolnai Testgyakorlók Köre. Group of football and tennis pioneers residing in the town along with local merchants, workers from drapery factories and students played important roles in the foundation of the club. After lengthy preparations, the club was officially registered on 20 June 1909. The club won its first Slovak championship (Zväzové majstrovstvá Slovenska) in 1928 followed by the success in 1929 and was among the most notable teams in Slovakia for almost two decades.

Czechoslovak League

In total, Žilina played 30 out of 47 seasons in the Czechoslovak First League spanning from 1945 to 1993 and come 13th in all-time table. The most successful season remains 1946–47 when they clinched 4th place adrift of the likes of Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague (historically, the two most successful clubs in Czechoslovakia) and SK Kladno. As a mark of honour to the best Slovak team in this competition, Žilina was named "Unofficial Slovak Champion".

Many consider 1961 a milestone in club's history. Firstly, the team reached the final of the National Cup, where they lost to Dukla Prague, the eventual Czechoslovak champion. Despite the defeat, for the first time in its history the club, then known as Dynamo Žilina, broke into Europe to contest in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Notable 3–2 and 1–0 victories over Olympiacos moved them in quarter-finals, however the ambitious Slovak team was ultimately knocked out by the previous year's winner Fiorentina. Although Žilina grabbed a promising 3–2 victory at home, Fiorentina went through by winning the second leg 2–0.

Second leg

Fiorentina won 3–2 on aggregate.

In the late 1960s the club was renamed TJ ZVL Žilina and participated in the Intertoto Cup for several more years, winning the group in 1969 and coming 2nd a year later. A notable 1973–74 season, saw them reach the final of the Mitropa Cup but they suffered defeat from Tatabányai Bányász 5–2 on aggregate. Between 1972 and 1974, they finished 5th in the First Division of the Czechoslovak League for three years running, followed by relegation to the Second Division in the 1978–79 season. The club bounced back four years later and finished second in the Mitropa Cup in that same season, which turned out to be the last notable achievement before winning the title two decades later.

New era – Slovak League

Following dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, MŠK Žilina has been playing in the Slovak Superliga for the total of 23 seasons with the exception of 1995–96 season after relegation to the Second Division.

After lengthy two decades since the last European contest the club qualified for the Intertoto Cup in 1997 and 1999, however with no success on either occasion.

Significantly, in the autumn of 2000, former Czechoslovakian defender Ladislav Jurkemik joined the club as a new manager and under his guidance the team became renowned for its winning mentality. After his departure halfway through the 2001–02 season to become a manager of the Slovak national team the club appointed Czech coach Leoš Kalvoda. During his short reign at the club he led them to win the first title with four rounds into the end of the season. In the 2002–03 season, now under the management of Milan Lešický, the club succeeded in retaining the title. With two games to play, prolific striker and team captain Marek Mintal scored a cracking winner in an eagerly anticipated away clash against their only contender in a title race Slovan Bratislava. This turned out to be his last goal for the recrowned Slovak champion before his move to 1. FC Nürnberg.

Ladislav Jurkemik was reappointed as a manager during the 2003–04 season. He led the defending champions to 10 priceless consecutive victories to clinch the third successive title though narrowly on a goal difference. After Slovan Bratislava, MŠK Žilina became only the second club to win three Slovakian titles. The team's performances in next two seasons faded while they lacked the quality they had been famous for during their winning campaigns. In pursuit of silverware numerous players were signed over next two years. In the span of only fourteen months, three managers; the reputable Karol Pecze, his successor Milan Nemec and eventually Marijan Vlak were in charge over the team. Since the results and performances never met the expectations, Vlak ended his reign immediately at the end of 2005–06 season after they failed to reach UEFA Cup spot only to finish fourth.

Unforgettable 2006–07 season was another proof of dominance when MŠK Žilina won the fourth title in six years. Well deserved credit to a new appointed manager Pavel Vrba whose renowned tactics complemented with several new signings brought a desired recipe for success. The team dominated throughout the entire season performing an enjoyable attacking football that was applauded all across the country.

An arch rivalry between Slovak and Czech teams since the split up escalated when MŠK Žilina were tied with Slavia Prague in the second qualifying round of Champions League 2007–08. Disappointingly, they were knocked out by Czech champions on penalties after two goalless draws.

Ironically, despite two victorious qualifying rounds of UEFA Cup 2008–09, the board made a controversial decision to part a company with Pavel Vrba. It is believed such action was taken owing to team's inconsistent performances and transparent tactics in domestic league, leaving most supporters in dismay. However, seemingly gambling step to appoint Dusan Radolsky prior to the crucial second leg in Sofia came to fruition immediately. In a triumphant night, the Slovak side made it through when they managed to beat Levski Sofia 1–0 away and historically earned a spot in UEFA Cup 2008–09 group stage. The club was drawn to play in Group F alongside Hamburg, Ajax, Slavia Prague and Aston Villa. They were the lowest ranked side of all 40 clubs in this stage of competition. Although they famously beat Aston Villa 2–1 at Villa Park in their last group game, the club finished fourth and did not advance to the knockout stages of the competition.

Former Czechoslovakia and later Czech international Pavel Hapal was appointed new manager before 2009–10 campaign. In his first season, he led the team to win a league title, their fifth in nine years. Arguably the greatest success in their history came by making a debut in 2010–11 UEFA Champions League group stage after eliminating Sparta Prague in play-off round. In the following season they completed their first ever double, while the 2012–13 season saw the team finishing 7th - their worst league position since 2000. However, as a defeated finalists of the Slovak Cup the club secured a place to contest in the 1st qualifying round of 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.

One of the club's most notable players of the modern time is Marek Mintál, the captain and the league top scorer in club's two consecutive winning seasons 2001–02 and 2002–03 netting 21 and 20 goals respectively.

Events timeline

Affiliated clubs

The following clubs are currently affiliated with MŠK Žilina:

Supporters

MŠK Žilina supporters are called Žilinskí Šošoni (Žilina Shoshones) and Žilinskí Fanatici (Žilina Fanatics). Žilina supporters maintain friendly relations with fans of Polish Góral Żywiec

Stadium

Štadión Pod Dubňom is an all-seater football stadium situated in Žilina, Slovakia, which has been the home of MŠK Žilina. It is named after the hill Dubeň adjacent to which is located and literally means "Stadium under the Duben Hill".

The original stadium was built in 1941 although the ground had been in use since club's foundation in 1909. As of 2002, predominantly due to UEFA requirements, the club proposed an extensive renovation of the stadium.

Currently the stadium consists of four separate stands. The West and East Stands run alongside the pitch, with West Stand considered to be the main stand equipped with VIP seats, hospitality boxes, press room, TV commentators seats as well as area for wheelchair users. Changing rooms are also situated in the West Stand. The East Stand was the last to be rebuilt and was reopened before 2009–10 season.

A current capacity is 11,313 seats with the prospect of future expansion to hold a crowd of up to 15,000 spectators.

Club partners

source

Domestic

Czechoslovakia

Slovakia

Slovak League Top Goalscorer

Slovak League Top scorer since 1993–94

European

UEFA Ranking

This is the current 2014–15 UEFA coefficient:

Transfers

MŠK have produced numerous players who have gone on to represent the Slovak national football team. Over the last period there has been a steady increase of young players leaving Žilina after a few years of first team football and moving on to play football in leagues of a higher standard, with the German Bundesliga (Double best scorer Marek Mintál to 1. FC Nürnberg in 2003, another forwards Stanislav Šesták to VfL Bochum in 2009 and Mário Breška to 1. FC Nürnberg in 2008, also right back Peter Pekarík to VfL Wolfsburg in 2009), Italian Serie A (Milan Škriniar to Sampdoria in 2016), Turkish Süper Lig (William to Kayserispor in 2016), Austrian Football Bundesliga (Admir Vladavić to Salzburg in 2009 and 2013-14 best goalscorer Matej Jelić to Rapid Wien in 2015), Polish Ekstraklasa (Ján Mucha to Legia Warsaw in 2005 and Róbert Jež to Górnik Zabrze in 2010). Other interesting transfers were Dušan Perniš (Dundee United), Peter Štyvar (Bristol), Zdeno Štrba (Xanthi), Martin Dúbravka (Esbjerg), Tomáš Hubočan (Zenit). The top transfer was agreed in 2016 when 18 years old talented midfielder László Bénes joined German Mönchengladbach for a fee more than €5.0 million, which was the highest ever paid to a Slovak club.

Record transfers

*-unofficial fee

Current squad

As of 4 March 2017
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

For recent transfers, see List of Slovak football transfers winter 2016–17.

Out on loan 2016-17

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Reserve team

MŠK Žilina B are the reserve team of MŠK Žilina. They currently play in the second-level football league in Slovakia 2. Liga (West).

Squad

Head coach: Jaroslav Kentoš
Assistant coach: Vladimír Labant
Assistant coach: Tomáš Bedňa
Assistant coach: Viktor Šalvík

As of 29 October, 2016

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

For recent transfers, see List of Slovak football transfers winter 2016–17.

League and Cup history

Slovak League only (1993–present)

Notable players

Had international caps for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for MŠK.