Scouting Romania

Jorge Costa had been in charge since May 2011.

CFR’s first defeat in 2012 proved fatal for the former FC Porto defender, who was heading for a first title, but won’t be there to enjoy a win that’s still likely, as the club holds a five point advantage at the top of the standings.  Defeated 0-5 at home versus Rapid, Jorge Costa has been released a day later and on Sunday evening, the name of his replacement was already known: Ioan Andone.

“It’s the perfect choice!”, says the media and, although it does feel very wrong for the Portuguese coach who is packing his bags, it looks right for the guy who’s stepping in with nine rounds left to play in Liga I. Andone is the coach that helped CFR win its’ first title back in 2008 (made the double, actually, that year!), but was sacked six rounds into the following season, due to a poor start in the league! The coach lost the chance to guide the team into the group stage of the Champions League, where the Romanian champions went on to meet Chelsea and Bordeaux and stun AS Rome. That call came only a couple of weeks after club owner Arpad Paszkany was showing his support for Andone, saying that “he’ll grow old at this club”…

Well, he’ll get another chance this time and it’s a good moment to step in. No harm was done by the first defeat of the year, as Dinamo was stunned by Petrolul on their home ground in the same round, and CFR’s schedule offers four consecutive games (Petrolul, Concordia, Ceahlaul and FC Brasov) that could help them extend their lead and even secure the title.

Andone’s mission is to refresh the starting eleven, reposition some players that Jorge Costa couldn’t use to their best, but also add some flavor to a playing style that has made everyone speak of CFR as one the ugliest potential title winners in recent years. Consider that Romania crowned teams likes Unirea Urziceni and Otelul Galati and you’ll get the picture…

You can read a preview on CFR’s chances to win the league here.

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