Champions League - Munteanu takes Steaua hotseat

Eurosport - Mon, 27 Oct 13:10:00 2008

Steaua Bucharest have appointed former Romania international Dorinel Munteanu as their new coach, replacing Marius Lacatus who resigned last week after their Champions League defeat by Lyon.

2008 Dorinel Munteanu - 0

Club officials said Munteanu's contract was for two years and was worth £130,000 a year.

"I decided to join Steaua as I'm convinced that the team has great potential," the 40-year-old Munteanu said.

"It's a big challenge for me and I'm honoured to have been chosen."

Steaua, who are fourth in the domestic championship, will travel to Lyon next week hoping to improve on the one point they have notched so far in Champions League Group F.

Munteanu becomes Steaua's eighth coach in the past four years.

Previous coaches including Victor Piturca, Cosmin Olaroiu, Oleg Protasov, Walter Zenga, Gheorghe Hagi left after rows with owner Gigi Becali, whom they accused of interfering with their coaching work.

"I will intervene if Steaua has problems," Becali was quoted as saying by Fanatik TV. "If he gets results, he stays. If not, I'll fire him immediately."

Former midfielder Munteanu, who scored 16 goals in 134 matches for Romania, has coached local clubs CFR Cluj, Vaslui, Arges Pitesti and Universitatea Cluj.

Reuters

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  1. Let's hope that Munti will have the strong character he needs to face Becali's temper and "colored" press statements. I agree with sammy g, Becali is the biggest punk that Steaua ever met!

    From Le Requin, on Wed 29 Oct 9:45AM

  2. my guess that munti won`t stay too long as Steaua`s manager because of BEEcali`s temper
    hope he(munti) can make a team out of these players...a team wothy of the Steaua`s long and very beautiful past !
    good luck munti !

    From CataLiN, on Tue 28 Oct 2:10PM

  3. baccali has always been a punk!!

    From Adebisi, on Mon 27 Oct 10:12PM

  4. i hope that Munteanu can make a very good team

    From Andrei Banto, on Mon 27 Oct 7:35PM
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