Article by Adrian Duţă – Published Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 7:53 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 8:15 p.m.
The University of Craiova announced that the new coach of the team is Filipe Coelho (45 years old).
The Portuguese was last active at the national team of the United Arab Emirates, where he was second. He left there in March 2025, before Olăroiu's appointment to the UAE bench.
Filipe Coelho, the new coach from Craiova University
“OFFICIAL | Filipe Coelho is the new head coach of Science! Craiova University today reached an agreement with the Portuguese Coelho to take over the management of the team. We wish him the best of luck in Cetatea Baniei!
The new Science technician worked for 7 years alongside Paulo Bento at the National Team of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. As head coach, he worked at Leixoes, Casa Pia and Vilafranquense,” the University of Craiova reported.
The Portuguese second division, the highest level reached by Coelho as a principal
The Portuguese will be head coach again after a break of 8 years. The last time was the A1 at Vilafranquense, from November 2016 to December 2017.
Previously, he was head coach at Leixoes (2016), Casa Pia (2015-2016) and also at Vilafranquense (2013-2015).
From 2017, Coelho became Paulo Bento's second-in-command, working at Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic, from China, then at the national team of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
The highest level at which Coelho was active as a head coach was in the second division in Portugal, at Leixoes. He was sacked after picking up just one win in 13 league games in the 2016-17 season, leaving his side in the relegation zone.
Coelho debuts in 10 days
Coelho will make his debut at Craiova University on November 21, away, with FC Argeș, in the 17th stage of the Superliga.
The Portuguese will have less than two weeks to get to know his new students. In addition, he will meet 4 of the pillars of the team only at the end of the break for the national team matches.
Adrian Rus, Nicușor Bancu, Ștefan Baiaram and Vladimir Screciu are called up to the Romanian national team.
Coelho took the place of Mirel Rădoi
Coelho comes to Craiova to replace Mirel Rădoi, who resigned earlier this week. The former technician of the Oltene team was on the white-blue bench for 11 months, from January to November 2025.
Mirel told me that he regrets it, but that he is emotionally exhausted. He said that rather than harming the team he better leave, that what is happening is not right. It was pressure in every way, even last night when we lost, nobody can accuse the players of not wanting to. It is very difficult for me as a president to change coaches.
– Mihai Rotaru, Craiova University shareholder
