Victor Pițurcă named the Superliga team that will not enter the play-offs: “I don't see them there”
Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, November 17, 2025, 9:15 p.m. / Updated Monday, November 17, 2025, 9:18 p.m.
The former Romanian coach, Victor Pițurcă (69 years old), spoke about the current configuration of the Superliga and the chances of the teams involved in the race for the title.
Although the defending champion, FCSB, had a disappointing start to the season, the technician believes that the red-blues can re-enter the calculations if they grab a place in the play-offs.
Victor Pițurcă, winner of the Champions League with Steaua in '86: “If they enter the play-offs, FCSB can win the title”
After 16 stages, FCSB is only in 9th place, with 20 points, 5 away from the 6th position occupied by Farul.
Pițurcă says, however, that the situation can change quickly:
“The ranking is surprising, especially since Botoșani was the leader for a few stages. They have a lot, they have a coach, and Rapid is coming up behind, also with a good coach. The championship is open.
At CFR Cluj, I see minimal chances to recover, I don't see them as a team capable of returning to the play-offseven if the lot is superior to some of the teams currently there.”
About FCSB, the former selector remains optimistic:
“I think FCSB will come back. A lot depends on the next match. If they lose more points, the situation gets more complicated.
But if they enter the play-offs, they have a 100% chance of the title. Points are halved, matches are direct, different concentration. FCSB has, in my opinion, the best lot.”
The former selector believes that Rădoi's departure is an advantage for the rivals
Pițurcă also commented on the separation of Craiova University from Mirel Rădoi, replaced by the Portuguese Filipe Coelho:
“Mirel's departure is an advantage for the other teams. It's a pity that he chose to part with Craiova. As a coach you have to be a fighter.
As a player he was a tremendous fighter, he must be the same on the bench. This job is not just about winning. You have to know how to lose, to overcome difficult moments.
You are the general of the team, you have to pick them up after a failure.”
Pițurcă suggests that the club could have handled the situation differently:
“After I found out that he had a termination clause, I think he wanted to leave. If Mihai Rotaru wanted to stay, he simply told him: “Pay and leave!”.
I think Mirel would have been able to pay. I wish it would stay. His return to Craiova is almost impossible now.”
Pițurcă, about a return to football: “For now, I'm better this way”
The technician has not been active since 2020, since the mandate from Craiova University.
Despite missing the field, he says he doesn't rule it out, but he doesn't force a return either:
“I'm fine, quiet, out of the spotlight. There are times I wish I could go backespecially when I see championship finals and people's joy.
But for now I'm better off like this. If something comes up, we'll see“, said Victor Pițurcă at the event where Gigi Nețoiu announced his candidacy for the Capital City Hall
Pițurcă, former selector of the “tricolors” and technician of Stella
Victor Pițurcă was the Romanian national team coach in the periods 2004-2009 and 2011-2014, during which he achieved 28 victories from a total of 56 official matches on the Romanian bench.
He also trained Steaua Bucharest, the club for which he played, in the intervals 2000-2002 and 2002-2004, and in 2010 he coached the current FCSB.
