Moldovan the man for Dinamo

FC Dinamo Bucuresti have appointed Ion Moldovan as their new coach following their early exit from the UEFA Champions League and defeat in the Romanian Super Cup.

Second spell
The decision was announced today after the Romanian champions held a board meeting lasting more than three hours. Moldovan, the coach of Romania's Under-21 team, will replace Cornel Dinu, who was released three days ago. The new man, beginning his second spell at Dinamo, will have three assistants: Florin Cheran, Ionel Augustin and Dumitru Moraru.

One-year deal
"I'm glad to be back," said Moldovan, who has signed a one-year contract with an option for another year. "I came back because I want to work at a high level and because I accepted the performance standards set by Dinamo. It's a new challenge for me."

Lengthy playing career
Moldovan spent ten years as a player in the top flight between 1973 and 1983. He made 158 appearances scoring 15 goals for FC Farul Constanta and Dinamo.

Sacked before
Since taking up coaching he has led three teams in Romania, FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti (twice), CS Otelul Galati and Dinamo. During his first spell at Dinamo in 1994, he had the misfortune of guiding them to eleventh at the halfway stage, their lowest-ever position at that point in the championship, and it led to his dismissal.

International recognition
However, Moldovan has excelled at international level, and has coached the Libya national team. He has led the Romanian U21 side on two occasions and was praised for guiding the country to the last 16 of the last UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Manea linked
Moldovan is likely to be replaced as coach of the U21s by Nicolae Manea. It is also expected that national team goalkeeping coach Dumitru Moraru will join Moldovan at Dinamo.

Rapid woe
Dinamo were eliminated from the Champions League last week in the second qualifying round by Club Brugge KV and they were beaten 2-1 in the Romanian Super Cup on Saturday by rivals FC Rapid Bucuresti.