Olaroiu makes capital move

Cosmin Olaroiu, the youngest coach in Romania's Divizia A, has left FC National Bucuresti to take charge of deposed champions FC Steaua Bucuresti.

Changing fortunes
The 33-year-old is one of the most highly-rated coaches in his homeland after taking National from the brink of relegation to the verge of the championship during his two-year stint at the club.

No European football
He replaces Victor Piturca, who has become Steaua's general manager - where he will be responsible for such things as scouting and transfers but not direct team affairs - after the club could only manage a seventh-placed finish last season after starting it as champions. Their lowly placing means Steaua will next season be without European football for the first time in 18 years.

Dramatic final day
Olaroiu steered National to seventh place in the Romanian top flight in 2000/01 and they were only denied the 2001/02 title in May as FC Dinamo Bucuresti capitalised on their final-day defeat by FC Universitatea Craiova to snatch the championship in dramatic circumstances.

Title objective
A former National player, before trying his hand in both the Korean Republic and Japan, Olaroiu has signed a one-year contract with an option of a further season at the Steaua stadium. "It is a great honour for me to train Steaua," he said. "I am happy to come back to the club where I started out in football as a child. I want only one thing - the title."