Paulo Sérgio replaces Andone as CFR Cluj coach

Paulo Sérgio has been installed as CFR 1907 Cluj coach until the end of the season, filling the post vacated by Ioan Andone last week.

The Portuguese has been without work since departing Heart of Midlothian FC in the summer, failing to agree fresh terms in Edinburgh after leading the side to Scottish Cup glory. That achievement caught the eye of CFR owner Árpád Pászkány, who said the 44-year-old former Sporting Clube de Portugal boss was "the best choice for the club". Pászkány added: "I had many options for the post but we decided on Paulo."

Paulo Sérgio has committed to the Romanian champions for the remainder of the campaign, with an option to extend his stay, and has plenty of work to do before then. He assumes the reins of a team lying seventh in the Romanian First Division, 13 points behind leaders FC Steaua Bucureşti. CFR have performed better in the UEFA Champions League, however, and halfway through Group H they are second on four points. They host Galatasaray AŞ next Wednesday.

"I'm a modest person and all I have accomplished so far was not achieved alone," Paulo Sérgio said at today's unveiling. "Our league ranking doesn't look too good, but let's not think about that; we must take it step by step. What I want in the dressing room is ambition and the desire to win every match." He should not have too many problems getting that message across: eight of the CFR squad are either Portuguese or Brazilian.