12 hours after qualifying for the play-off, Daniel Pancu spoke: “Believe me, this team is relegating”
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Sunday, 01 March 2026, 11:24 / Updated on Sunday, 01 March 2026 11:25
Farul – CFR Cluj 1-2. Daniel Pancu (48 years old), the coach of CFR Cluj, spoke for the first time on Sunday morning, after his team achieved mathematical qualification in the play-off. The technician felt sick at the end of the game in Ovidiu and did not appear in front of the press, and 12 hours later he explained what happened and what is to come at the formation in Gruia.
Pancu was agitated on the sidelines at the game by the sea, and at the end, at the press conference and the flash-interview, came his second, Laurentiu Rus (40 years old), who announced that the former U21 selector is not feeling well and precisely for this reason he cannot come to offer a reaction after qualifying for the play-off, which seemed at one point, until he took over the team, impossible.
CFR Cluj had a nightmare first part of the season, being closer to relegation than to the play-offs. With Pancu at the helm, however, the team tied 10 consecutive victories, and the 30 points have now, at the end of the regular season, placed them in the top 6.
Daniel Pancu's reaction after the victory at Farul
Daniel Pancu felt much better the day after the match, when he also offered a first reaction, explaining including his gesture when he spilled his nerves on Cristian Panin, the official who tried to calm him down.
He also spoke about how he resurrected the team, which he says would have been relegated without him producing the spark, and the title chances after qualifying for the play-offs.
“I think I also had a cold, my head hurt really bad. I was shaking pretty much the whole match. Panin shouldn't have laid hands on me. He's my friend, but I can't stand anyone laying hands on me. I don't lay hands on anyone.
It was a personal ambition to prove that these players have value. I am very satisfied and the thing I am most proud of is the relationship with the players, which is the most important for a coach. I changed the way I see football. Many goals are scored, and the team has confidence.
The whole club culture and winning team mentality made this miracle possible. Trust me, this team is relegating! I tell you honestly, that's what I found there. A team that would be relegated!
Metaloglobus was way above us as game relations. Now, CFR is the favorite in the 2nd place in the Superliga. Qualifying for the play-offs was never a goal. It's something extra that I achieved. Instead of winning the play-out and playing the play-off for Europe, now we have to finish in the top 4 to play the play-off or directly in the European cups”, said Daniel Pancu, after the match, on Sunday morning, on the show “Digi Sport Matinal”.
Images from Farul – CFR Cluj 1-2
The current Superliga standings
