Article by Maria Olteanu – published Wednesday, 06 August 2025, 11:18 / Updated Wednesday, 06 August 2025 11:24
Marcel Popescu (76 years old), the former president of the University of Craiova, analyzed the fight for this season and had only words of praise to the owner of Rapid, Dan Șucu, to bring to the team of the Italian Mauro Pederzoli as sports director of the club.
The former official of the Oltenians believes that the arrival of Pederzoli in the staff of the Giulesti will leave his mark on the club's results.
Quick, under the command of Costel Gâlcă, it has an excellent season start, being a superliger leader, 10 points after the first four rounds. So does Craiova lui Rădoi.
Marcel Popescu, praise to Dan Șucu
Asked who considers that they are the main candidates of the University of Craiova in the fight for this season, the one who was the president of the University of Craiova in 1991, the year in which the Oltenians made the last event, said that, in addition to the traditional opponents, FCSB and CFR Cluj, the main rival will be quick in this season.
The Oltenians and Giulestii are on equal points in the start of the season, at the top of the standings.
“(No, who are Craiova counter -candidates in the title fight this season?) Old candidates, but first of all the fast. Mr. Șucu had an extraordinary inspiration when he brought Pederzoli, he is a super-professional, who is firmly convinced that he will weigh enormously in the economy of the Rapid.
And Gâlcă, and Mirel Rădoi are young coaches, with a very broad horizon, and with very high chances of being aware as coaches as much or more than they did as former players. It's another job. I have very high expectations from Craiova University, I rely on the value of the lot, net higher than last year, then I had a soloist, now we have an orchestra.
The light of the spotlight is no longer put on the soloist, but on the conductor, but the instrumentalists and the orchestra are of great quality. In Romanian football there are players who can say their word. Craiova University has a competitive lot ”, said Marcel Popescu, the last time in Craiova during the period 2016-2023, in an interview for gsp.ro.
Marcel Popescu, former president of Craiova University / Photo: ucv1948.ro
Mauro pederzoli, seen a big win at Rapid
Two weeks ago, Victor Angelescu, the minority shareholder of the Giulești team, talked about how Mauro Pederzoli was possible As a sports director of the club, although it was still spoken that the club's legend, Cristi Săpunaru, will be installed in that position.
(No-you paid the course of Sports Sports Director?) Yes, the Rapid Club. We thought he would be the future sports director. First of all, I let him be a player. He was the team's captain and played an important role in the locker room. We had a discussion with him, and both myself and Mr. Dan Șucu thought of proposing him for the role of sports director.
That's why I sent it to classes, it was a clear intention that I had since winter. In the meantime, an opportunity has emerged: Mauro, the current sports director, was in discussions with Dan and materialized. Mauro came. Dan did something remarkable – I didn't even think we could bring a sports director from Serie A to Romania.
If Mr. Șucu was not involved in Genoa, I think an Italian professional would not have agreed to come. This opportunity appeared and we decided to go to Mauro's hand, which has an experience that helps us a lot at this time.
– Victor Angelescu, about the arrival of Mauro Pederzoli
Mauro Pederzoli, Sports Director from Rapid/ Photo: Facebook @fc Rapid 1923
