Article by Ovidiu Ioanițoaia – Published Wednesday, 07 January 2026, 16:18 / Updated Wednesday, 07 January 2026 16:31
The decision of the CFR Cluj players to go to Oliva Nova camp without Ciprian Deac, an exponential player in Gruia, continues to make waves. Where he spent 17 seasons and won 7 championship titles.
When I write CFR I think of Daniel Pancu, the one who, installed as coach of the “railwaymen” at the end of October 2025, decided to leave Deac at home. A measure that many interpreted as an insulting gesture towards the footballer.
Deac's former teammate, Dan Nistor, made a plastic comment on that decision. The current midfielder of U Cluj raged that “It's a humiliation. He won (at Deac) as many trophies as some fried potatoes haven't eaten!”. Of course that's an exaggeration. But it contains a lot of truth. A lot and sad.
Although I am among those who have always valued Deac for his seriousness and devotion, I would not rush to shoot Pancu. However, I accuse him of not taking Ciprian aside to clarify why he did so. I am convinced that the legendary Deac deserved an explanation.
That's all, however, because the coach was, and is, authorized to determine who is included in the team and who is not. In one match and another, concretely, in the training camp in Spain.
It's just that Pancu, probably caught up with others, didn't consider it appropriate to talk to Deac, one of the emblematic players of the team alongside Camora. In my opinion, the technician was wrong, even if he proposed a massive rejuvenation of the herd.
But not more under the conditions in which Ciprian will turn 40 on February 16, for which reason, I would say logically, he has been used very rarely lately. Never as a starter in the fall season. For which reason enough have reproached the veteran for taking too long to quit.
When the friend Alin Buzărin wrote yesterday about what happened to Deac, someone appreciated, to the point, that the ex-CFR star “still has the desire, but not the ability”.
Ciprian Deac
This is what Deac himself reported, announcing that he will retire permanently at the end of the current season. When his contract with the group from Gruia expires, which will keep him, the president Iuliu Mureșan said these days, within the club. As official. A smart move, commendable.
To better understand things, I called Ciprian Deac yesterday and asked him for his opinion on this story. To my surprise, he refused to criticize anyone. To be upset, to be indignant.
He limited himself to saying “It hurts, obviously it hurts, but I have too much respect for the club to be offended in any way. I will continue to train as I have been, and if I am needed for even one minute, I will not be demoted, I will go in and do my duty. With or without Deac, football in Gruia will go on”.
I thanked him and hung up the phone with the feeling that I had received a lesson in fair play, in nobility. Well, another emotional one.
