Article by Adrian Duţă – Published on Tuesday, 05 May 2026 19:59 / Updated on Tuesday, 05 May 2026 23:16
Victor Angelescu, the minority shareholder and president of Rapid, denied it for the time being the discussions with Daniel Pancuthe coach from CFR Cluj, for taking over the white-cherries from the summer.
Angelescu worked with Pancu in the lower leagues, when with Daniel on the bench Rapid promoted to League 2. He expressed his admiration for the legend of the club and declared that Pancu will someday return to Giulesti.
The president of Rapid said that Gâlcă can continue from the summer if he qualifies the team in the Conference League preliminaries.
Victor Angelescu: “Pancu is, perhaps, the greatest legend of Rapid”
“Pancu was there when I arrived. He is one of the initiators of the project. I was the first leader who made him a coach. After the promotion from League 4 to League 3. He promoted to League 2.
We had a good run in League 2, unfortunately there were some bad results. I also caught the last match with fans before the pandemic. It wasn't my decision, but the decision was made to leave. Then came the pandemic, there was that play-off. If I knew, Pancu should have stayed.
I have said so many times how Costel's contract is. It has a clause, if it goes to the European cups, it is extended. While we still have a chance, I don't think it's normal to talk to another coach. If they don't achieve their goal, we think, maybe we make changes.
I have said several times, I have a very good relationship with Pancu. Those from CFR Cluj made the best choice. He sees football well, he is perhaps the greatest legend of Rapid. He was the man who started the project, promoted with us from League 3.
I opposed him leaving then, I didn't want to, but a few more stages passed and he left. I only had 50 percent of the shares then,” said Victor Angelescu, on Prima Sport 1.
Victor Angelescu: “Daniel Pancu will train at Rapid in the future”
“He is a man who will coach Rapidul in the future. He should not have any trajectory to be at a club that is too big outside and we can no longer bring him. He is a good coach, he is performing at CFR. We have 3 more stages, if we do not meet our goal, we will discuss.
It is an option, but I understand that his contract is extended if he goes to the European cups, he has certain discussions there. It's an option, it will always be an option for Rapid. Maybe it's Giovanni's desire to take Pancu to Rapid. All impresarios have a commodity to display.
For Pancu, Rapid is on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places. Then there is Beşiktaş. He is a man who always respected the club, he was a coach, he promoted, he left, I remained in excellent relations with him”, Angelescu also declared.
Angelescu: “Pancu always helped the Rapid”
“I always talked to him, he always helped the club, if we needed something, to present a shirt, to give the kick-off, he answered positively. What Pancu means to Rapid and Rapid to Pancu… He is an emblem, among the 3 most important in the history of Rapid!
If we play extremely poorly, but we reach the playoffs and in the European cups, we will have a discussion with Costel at the end of the season. But maybe he doesn't want to stay. Or maybe we want to change. I said what is written in the contract. It's normal to have a discussion. Maybe we don't like the game. Maybe we play well and qualify, and Costel says he doesn't want to anymore.
We are unhappy with the game. I am also unhappy with myself. Everyone has a part to blame for these last 6 stages, the players, the staff, and the management,” Angelescu also declared.
