Steaua settle for Protasov
Friday, June 17, 2005
Article summary
Romanian champions FC Steaua Bucuresti have named former USSR striker Oleg Protasov as their new coach.
Article body
Athens negotiations
The 41-year-old Ukrainian agreed a two-season contract today after talks in Athens with Steaua executive president Mihai Stoica. He will be presented to the press on Monday.
'A well-run club'
Protasov was in charge of Olympiacos CFP during the 2003/04 campaign before leading Cypriot side AEL Limassol FC for three months of the season just ended. "Steaua are a well-run club with some very good players," said Protasov, a veteran of the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cups and a UEFA European Championship runner-up in 1988.
Zenga casualty
He replaces caretaker coach Dumitru Dumitriu, who had succeeded the sacked Walter Zenga for the championship run-in. Steaua had been expected to appoint a Romanian coach but the leading candidates were unavailable for the post. Protasov is unlikely to have influential midfielder Dorinel Munteanu at his disposal with the 36-year-old set to become player-coach at CFR Cluj.
