“There are discussions, I will return in the winter”

The wait is over for Marius Croitoru, on the “touch” after the separation from FCU Craiova, produced in October 2024. The novelty as far as he is concerned is that, unlike previous experiences, he will be able to exercise his job unhindered: Croitoru has completed his studies and is free to practice without restrictions, including at the first league level.

The former “principal” from FC Botoșani, FC Argeș and FCU Craiova made the announcement on Friday afternoon, when he admitted that he had already had various gropings with certain clubs in Romania.

Marius Croitoru received his license and is ready to enter the “bread”: “There are discussions, I will return to coaching from the winter!”

“I'm very well, I finished the exam for the PRO license last week, I passed it with flying colors and I'm waiting to get the license and the book, the card, so that I don't have any more problems. It remains as of winter, if things will be OK and someone wants me, I'll come back. In 2015 I started, now I've finished absolutely everything.

Initially I was with the situation with the trainer's card, then with the license, it's clear that I suffered on this topic, but I will come back stronger.

There are discussions, yes, even at this moment there are. I think that from the winter I will definitely go back to training“, said Croitoru, in the interview given to Gazeta yesterday.

Croitoru started his adventure in the club in 2019, on the bench of FC Botoșani, which he managed until 2022. Later, he trained FC Argeș and FCU Craiova, twice, plus another “dismounted” at Valeriu Iftime's club.

Marius Croitoru and the saga of the coach's license and license

At the beginning of his coaching career, Marius Croitoru was able to work in the first league on the basis of an A license obtained in Moldova, through which he was allowed to occupy the position of “second”. Later, a big obstacle intervened. The carnet obtained in Chisinau could no longer be equated in Romania, so that the technician had to enroll in the courses in Bucharest to obtain the coach's booklet, the studies being carried out at the National Center for Training and Improvement of Coaches (CNFPA).

During all this time, Croitoru could only be offered contracts as a delegate, as happened at FCU Craiova and FC Argeș.

Thus, in the absence of the necessary documents for a “principal” at the level of the first league, he was not allowed to give directions and perform all the duties of an A1.

When he was coaching FC Argeș, Croitoru even encountered a delicate situation: the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission within the FRF suspended him for four rounds, because he behaved like a master trainer, even though he did not have a Pro license! Croitoru had been complained about for giving directions during matches, but also for participating in press conferences.

147 dayslasted Marius Croitoru's last mandate, held at FCU Craiova between May and October 2024

Coach's license and card taken in Romania, so you can practice

What criteria must a coach meet to practice in the Super League? The FRF clarified in 2023:

• “To hold the position of head coach at the highest inter-club competitive level a UEFA Pro License is required. At League 1 level can only train if that technician holds a license obtained in the country or at the coaching schools of UEFA affiliated federations. In this sense, the Romanian Football Federation, as a UEFA affiliated member, has the obligation to verify the possession of the necessary license.

• As for the coach's card, this requirement is provided for in the legislation of our country and is valid for all sports disciplines. Thus, for enrollment in the UEFA B, A or Pro Licenses, which means specialization, the FRF requires proof of the coach's card or, in the event of specialized, qualification studies abroad, they must be equated at the National Center for the Training and Improvement of Coaches or the National Center for the Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas, according to the legislation in force”