Dumitriu makes Romanian return

Dumitru Dumitriu has signed an 18-month contract to replace Ionut Popa as coach of Romanian First Division side FC Oradea.

Popa pushed out
The 58-year-old coach, who recently ended his spell in charge of Greek team Akratitos FC by mutual consent, takes over from Popa, who was dismissed several weeks ago. Bihor are the fifth Romanian club to change coaches in December.

Champions League challenge
Dumitriu, who guided FC Steaua Bucuresti to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League for three successive seasons between 1994/95 and 1996/97, also took charge of FCM Bacau before moving to Greece. In addition to coaching AEK Athens FC and Panionios NFC, Dumitriu worked with Cypriot side Olympiakos Nicosia FC.

Lofty ambitions
Bihor won promotion to the Romanian top flight last season and currently lie 14th in the 16-team league at the halfway stage, but Dumitriu is relishing the challenge. "What's that relegation?" he asked. "Other teams should think of avoiding this. Our aim is not only to avoid relegation, but to finish in a mid-table position at the end of the season."