“My rules are simple”

It is about the large group that the vice-champion of Romania has. CFR Cluj relies on 33-34 players, and every match the coach has to leave out 12-13.

Pancu claims that he will sit on the bench on Friday, with Dinamo, if he signs the contract by then. On December 8 or 9 he will also receive his license, and until then he will be helped by Laurentiu Rus.

Daniel Pancu, the first reaction after signing with CFR Cluj: “It's a huge difference!”

The new coach from CFR also announced the team's goal: qualifying for European cups, regardless of whether we are talking about winning the Romanian Betano Cup or through the play-offs.

In his view, the team has little chance of entering the play-offs, taking into account not necessarily the difference in points, but the teams involved. He admits that he can qualify with CFR in the European cups and through the Conference League play-out bracket.

“There is no story. Yesterday I was called by Mr. Varga, before Giovanni Becali. He told me about the interest of the CFR. We talked several times during the day yesterday and today I talked with Mr. President Muresan.

I didn't have to put too many conditions. I think it's a very big club, very good players, I don't know how it got to the current situation. It is an unimaginable situation from my point of view, to have only 13 points after so many stages. The only problem I see is with the number of players.

I lived as a player in 2012 with Neluțu Sabău at Rapid, a situation in which the club probably made plans for the European cups, groups. There were 31-32 players in the group. Just think about the day of the match, when we entered the training camp with the 20, there were 11 players training.

It's terrible from that point of view, and nowadays mood makes all the difference. With 34 players in the squad you can't have… No matter how much goodwill and experience, love the players have, you cannot have a state of mind that will lead you to have good developments, victories.”

Pancu lets it be understood that he gives up many players in the winter: “I have nothing to do for now”

“I have nothing to do for now, I can't give up any player without knowing him. I only know 4 players. I don't know the rest, I played with Deac and that's about it. That was my only problem with CFR.

In the past, there have been gropings, but through intermediaries. Now there were frequent calls. It was clear to me since yesterday that their interest is…

On December 8-9 I get my Pro license. As far as I know, Laurentiu Rus has this exemption. His exemption also applies to me. We will discuss the normally set goals in more detail tomorrow evening. But participating in a European cup, or winning the Cup, or from the championship, play-off or play-out by winning the playoffs.

It's a huge difference, many calculate 6 points to the 6th place, but that 6th place is still being hunted by other teams that are ahead. The real objective is related to the 4th-5th place. We are looking at FC Argeș and Dinamo, it would be 11 points to recover in 14 stages, not impossible, but to have an exceptional course“, said Pancu, at “Digi Sport Special”.

The matches come one after the other, they are tough. It is clear that the only dissatisfaction I have is related to the number of players. I watched all the games today, in the Cup.

I had a very good relationship with Louis Munteanu, it was never a case and I don't think it is a case now either. He is injured as far as I know, he relapsed after the one he had with the national team and it is something related to that injury, but he is fine and has started training.

My rules are very simple. If you are a value player and very well paid, you have to follow some rules, they are very simple. I am betting on their professionalism, it is not my fault that I have to leave 12-13 players out of the squad match after match, it is not my fault. I hope they understand this and we'll see.

– Daniel Pancuthe new coach from CFR Cluj

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