Favorite for taking over CFR Cluj, Edi Iordănescu made the final decision » The latest details from the negotiations
Article by Cezar Titor – Published on Wednesday, 06 May 2026, 15:20 / Updated on Wednesday, 06 May 2026 15:29
The departure of Daniel Pancu from Gruia at the end of the season is becoming clearer, and the most likely destination seems to be Rapid. Under these conditions, CFR Cluj officials have already started the search for a new coach.
As Gazeta Sporturilor announced yesterday, the main name on the Transylvanian list is Edward Iordănescu, the former national team selector and technician who also trained CFR in two separate mandates: June-July 2018 and December 2020-June 2021. Together with the team from Gruia, he won a championship title, a Romanian Cup and a Supercup.
CFR Cluj wants Edi Iordănescu. Why could the people of Transylvania face a refusal
The management of the “railwaymen” has already taken the first steps and contacted the coachbut any negotiations were temporarily put on hold.
The CFR could face a refusal from Iordănescu. According to the latest information, the technician prioritizes an offer from abroadand at the moment there are very few projects in Romania that could change his plans.
Daniel Pancu took over the team at the beginning of November, when the Transylvanians were struggling at the bottom of the standings. He qualified the team in the play-offs, after a formidable course and now has a huge chance for a place in the Conference League, while keeping the theoretical possibility of winning the title, the main “hop” in this sense being a success with the University of Craiova in this play-off stage.
2.20 pointsis the average per match recorded by “Pancone” in Gruia in the 25 games in the position of A1 of those from CFR Cluj.
I don't comment. There are three weeks left. One day, it will probably be my turn. I am a founding member of this Rapid, I went on the road with the supporters and with the support of the City Hall of Sector 1. There is no question that I would also receive the same treatment, the supporter from Giulești is like that.
– Daniel Pancu, after the victory with Rapid, score 2-1, at the press conference
Edi Iordănescu's last adventure was in Poland, at Legia Warsaw, which he trained between July and October. Throughout his career, in addition to CFR Cluj, he also trained FC Vaslui, Fortuna Brazi, Târgu Mureș, Pandurii, CSKA Sofia, Astra, Gaz Metan Mediaș, FCSB and the national team in two periods, with which he reached the round of 16 of the 2024 European Championship.
