Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Thursday, November 13, 2025 5:26 p.m. / Updated Thursday, November 13, 2025 6:24 p.m.
Mihai Rotaru, the president of the University Craiovaconfirmed that Toni Petrea (50 years old) will be his second the new coach of the teamFilipe Coelho (45 years old).
The Olten official still regrets the decision of Mirel Rădoi (44 years old) to leave the team, but he has great faith in the Portuguese technician, officially presented a day ago.
In addition, Rotaru revealed the reason why he co-opted Toni Petrea to the staff: to help Coelho adapt to Superliga football as quickly as possible.
Petrea was on his way to Iași to pick up Poli, as GSP had revealed on Monday, but he was turned away by Olteni. Even Rotaru confirms: “It was about going to Iasi to replace Tony da Silva. We thought about Tony da Silva and then we said: “Why not Toni Petrea? (no laughs)”.
Mihai Rotaru confirmed the bringing of Toni Petrea: “We thought about who could have helped Coelho”
“I strongly believe that we have a very good squad and, at the moment, we have more balance.
I think I solved this problem of a constant. That's why I chose this way. The new coach has built a strong staff, a mix. We basically now have people in all areas. We are trying to have a different model. I drew the profile of the new coach, and Filipe Coelho comes very close to this profile.
We supported him completely, we were afraid of a possible departure, we didn't want that. Coelho is an experienced guy when it comes to coaching. He is a guy who has also worked abroad, which helps us. He also worked in the Emirates, and in Korea, and in China.
He is prepared, he already has this expertise. He spent a day and a half looking at us, told us we have a better team than last year. He studied, at least last night he also had last year's team studied.
He is a model coach who has every chance to succeed. That's why I brought in Romanians to help him. I think Toni Petrea will be a plus for us. That was the idea.
I never met Toni Petrea, but we thought about who could be a good helper for Filipe. It was about going to Iasi to replace Tony da Silva. We thought about Tony da Silva and then we said: “Why not Toni Petrea?” (no laughs).
Coelho said that he will not change many things, he will try to correct certain things, but he will not make major changes”, said Mihai Rotaru, on the show “DigiSport Special”.
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