Vaslui and Timişoara seek new coaches

Two of Romania's UEFA Europa League contenders for next season have parted company with their coaches, with Marius Lăcătuş leaving SC Vaslui and Ioan Ovidiu Sabău stepping aside at FC Timişoara.

The 46-year-old Lăcătuş has left Vaslui by mutual consent the day after they lost 5-4 on penalties to CFR 1907 Cluj in the Romanian Cup final. The 84-times capped former Romania forward led the club to a third-placed finish, the best result in their history, but decided to leave several days ago.

Lăcătuş and his family are preparing to move to Oviedo in Spain, where he played for Real Oviedo between 1991 and 1993, for his daughter to study. "Even if he had won the double, he still would have left, because he has family reasons," said Vaslui owner Adrian Porumboiu. "We parted company on good terms and he is a fantastic person."

Meanwhile, Timişoara, who finished fifth, have announced the departure of the 42-year-old Sabău, a former international team-mate of Lăcătuş. No reason was given for his departure, with Timişoara having played in the UEFA Europa League group stage under his guidance. Neither club have announced replacements for their coaches.