The players of the Petrolul Ploiești team. Photo: Razvan Pasarica / Sport Pictures / Imago Sportfotodienst / Profimedia
Ciprian Panait (48 years old) is the new head coach of Petrolul Ploiești. The new technician of the “wolves” has trained for several years in Saudi Arabia, reports GSP.ro.
Ciprian Panait has had several experiences in Romanian football, but never in the position of head coach. His career started at FCM Bacău, as a physical trainer, in the mandates of Cristi Popovici and Ionuț Lupescu.
Later, he arrived at Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț, under the command of Viorel Hizo, which he met and Rapid. After that, he returned to Vaslui, to Adrian Porumboiu's team, becoming an important piece in the staff of Augusto Inácio.
In 2016, Ciprian Panait decided to leave Romanian football and moved to Saudi Arabia to Al-Hilal. He led the Olympic team of the Saudi club, but also had seven matches as the head coach of the big team, when the team was left without a coach, being called interim.
At Al-Hilal, he won the champion title of Saudi Arabia twice with the U21 band. Later, he trained teams like Al Raed (Saudi Arabia), Batin (Saudi Arabia), Sohar (Oman) and Al-Kharaitiit (Qatar), his last team being Al Shabab, where he was the second team coach.
University lecturer and doctor in physical education
In addition to his career as a coach, Ciprian Panait currently holds the position of technical director of the Romanian Federation of Padbol, where he coordinates the development and certification of coaches in this emerging sport.
He is also a university lecturer at the National University of Physical Education and Sport (UNEFS) in Bucharest and has a PhD in physical education, his research being focused on the biological and physics profile of elite footballers.
