Article by Cezar Titor – Published Saturday, January 24, 2026, 4:18 p.m. / Updated Saturday, January 24, 2026, 4:18 p.m.
Ilie Stan (58 years old), former great midfielder of Stella and coach at Gloria Buzău last season, sued the club after not being paid in the last three months of the contract. Stan had signed in March, taking over the team from last place, and Gloria relegated at the end of the play-out (6 losses, 2 wins, 1 draw).
After the relegation, the City Hall decided to disband the team. Invited to GSP Live in the fall, the one nicknamed “Iliesta” said that he regrets returning to Buzău, the team from his hometown. Now, he announces that the first term of the trial is on January 29. However, he does not know what chances he has to recover his money, considering the dissolution of the club.
The technician claims the spending of millions of euros of public money, with a budget approved by the local authorities, while the staff and players remained unpaid for three months. He also spoke of financial “irregularities”, and several players have also taken legal action through a law firm. Stan claims that the situation has affected his image and ability to secure a new contract, while the local authorities stop answering his phone.
Ilie Stan: “I hope to get my money back, but I don't know what the chances are”
“I didn't solve anything with Buzau. I have the first term on January 29th, I sued them. I hope to get my money back, but with the club going out of business, I don't know what chance we have. That's why we are where we are with this football. It shouldn't have ended up here.
You have 6 million euros at your disposal, you have a 340,000 euro monthly salary budget approved by the City Council and the County Council, and you still don't succeed. You leave the team and don't pay the money for three months. Where is that money? There were a lot of irregularities there and we are suffering.
Before I had 3-4 offers, now… Such a thing cannot happen, it is inadmissible to continue like this. Even the players did not get their money for three months, several took action in court. It's a law firm that is in the business of getting their money back. I haven't heard anything from the mayor or the County Council,” Ilie Stan told Gazeta Sporturilor.
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As a player, Ilie Stan won six titles with Steaua, three Romanian Cups, two Supercups, being also European vice-champion.
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Throughout his coaching career, he was second in command of the first national team, trained several clubs in the Gulf, but also FCSB, UTA Arad, Gloria Buzău, FC Vaslui, FC Brașov, Concordia Chiajna, Farul or ASA Târgu Mureș.
