Romania look to Iordanescu

Romania have appointed Anghel Iordanescu as their new coach following the departure of Victor Piturca earlier this month.

Piturca left for Al Ittihad after helping Romania make a positive start to their qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 – taking seven points from a possible nine in Group F.

It was Piturca’s third spell in charge of the national side and Iordanescu will now take up the challenge of securing a place at the European Championship finals in two years time.

Iordanescu will also take up the reins for a third time, having previously taken charge from 1993-98 and again from 2002-04.

The 64-year-old coached at Al Ittihad and Al Ain during recent years before retiring from management.

After reversing that decision, he will resume control of Romania with a home qualifier against group leaders Northern Ireland next month.

“The executive committee of the Romanian Football Federation approved unanimously the proposals of FRF president Razvan Burleanu to appoint new members of the technical staff of the national team,” read a statement on the organisation’s website.

“Anghel Iordanescu’s contract spans a year, aimed at the European Championship qualification in 2016.”

Iordanescu led Romania to their best World Cup finish in 1994 when they reached the quarter-finals in the United States with the help of captain Gheorge Hagi, Gheorghe Popescu and Viorel Moldovan.

Former striker Moldovan will serve as an assistant coach under Iordaneschu, alongside Daniel Isaila and Ionut Badea.