Romania’s football side needs a new manager

National side football manager Victor Piturca steps down during Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Bogdan Matei, 17.10.2014, 13:11

After a surprising result against Hungary and the satisfaction following the away win against Finland, the Romanian football world has been rocked again. Repeatedly demanded by thousands of fans, a section of the media and sports commentators, the resignation of Romania’s football side head coach Victor Piturca was eventually announced on Thursday. However, his stepping down comes at a time when almost everybody would rather have him at the helm of the national eleven, currently in full training campaign for the 2016 European Championship.

During Piturca’s tenure, the Romanian side started off on the right foot in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, clinching two wins away, in Greece and Finland, and a draw against Hungary. Romania are now second in Group F, a place which secures their qualification for the European Championship.

Regardless of what some voices say, Piturca is Romania’s only manager to obtain any notable results in the past 15 years, having a significant contribution to the team’s qualification for the European Championship in 2000 and 2008. Piturca also boasts the longest period at the helm of Romania’s national football squad, with 95 matches, 52 wins, 23 draws and only 20 defeats, which experts believe is a remarkable achievement.

Piturca’s career as a manager started with Steaua Bucharest, which it helped win a national and Supercup title. Later he joined Universitatea Craiova, winning another coveted trophy, Romania’s Cup.

As a player, he contributed to the highest achievement in Romanian football, when his team Steaua Bucharest won the European Cup final in 1986. He was also part of Steaua’s lineup in this competition’s 1989 final and the 1987 European Supercup final. His record also includes five national titles, four Romanian Cup trophies as well as the European Bronze Boot in 1988, a title given to the highest scoring players on the continent.

Despite a successful career as a player, Piturca was one of the most unpopular figures as a manager, being often perceived by the media and Romanian football fans as uncharismatic, arrogant, stubborn, resentful and rapacious. They all blame him for the national squad’s defensive style and can never forget that before him, the team had an attacking and exciting game.

Everybody in Romanian football is now eagerly looking forward to find out who the head of the National Football Federation Razvan Burleanu will appoint as new manager. No matter who he is, one thing is sure: his every move will be closely watched and intensely discussed.