Article by Andrei Crăiţoiu – Published Monday, March 16, 2026, 10:42 / Updated Monday, March 16, 2026 10:42
Marius Șumudică (55 years old) claims that he bases many of his decisions during matches on intuition and inspiration, but says that discipline remains the basic rule in the dressing room. The technician explained that he does not accept arrogance or gestures of disapproval from players on the field, warning that he immediately replaces those who challenge his authority during matches.
In a dialogue on the “Friends of Ovidiu” show, the technician admits that he often reacts instinctively during the games, and this approach also helped him to anticipate the tactical plans of the opponents.
“I rely a lot on inspiration and intuition”
“I am inspired many times. I rely a lot on inspiration and intuition. The moment I make changes or make decisions, I feel the game. I really enjoyed the appreciation of Mircea Lucescu, who said that it was as if I had been to their training sessions, because I explained exactly how they played and what they wanted to do. I mean, I realized what he wants to play and what he wants to do in that game,” said Şumudică.
However, the coach points out that intuition cannot work without work and discipline: “That's not to say that talent isn't a somewhat basic component, that work isn't a basic component, discipline and all that. But if you're not, you're not inspired and you don't choose to be inspired, for nothing.”
“I'm changing it right now! I don't accept things like that”
In the relationship with the players, Şumudica says that he values discipline and respect for the coach. Arrogance or disapproving gestures during the match are things they do not tolerate.
“Arrogance bothers me in a player. Lack of discipline, non-compliance with the schedule. We had Budescu, Alibec… We had these conflicts, but we extinguish them immediately. First of all, when I take over a team, I tell them from the beginning, no matter what team it is, whether it's abroad or in Romania, that regardless of whether I'm right or wrong, I shouldn't see the player answering me on the field”, explained the coach.
“That he shakes my hand or some such gesture of disapproval towards the coach. Because then I make the decision immediately and change him. And I've done it many times. In private we can have a discussion. In the room, in my office, between private eyes, there is an opportunity to tell us things by name. It's no problem at all. My door is open. But I don't accept things like that“, he also specified.
Marius Șumudica and Denis Alibec
“Some I love very much and close my eyes”
However, the coach admits that he too was a difficult player in his youth. At the time when he was performing under the command of Mircea Lucescu, he had the habit of making fun of his situation when he was not being used.
“I, as a player, was very mean! I remember that Mircea didn't bother me. Sometimes he didn't bother me to play… And during training, I scored a goal like that. I was putting it on one more link, I was giving as much as one goal. And I used to say “Well done, Sumudica!” Only in front of him, only to see me, only caterinca from this and I don't know what. I was prickly, prickly“, claims Şumudica.
The 55-year-old technician, although he tries to be even-handed, says that it is difficult for this to happen: “It is true that my weakness with some people who love them very much closes their eyes. Having a group consisting of 24 selves and the heart, it cannot be divided into 24 pieces. You cannot have the same feelings for everyone. You automatically care for others more. But you have to be even-handed,” he emphasized.
