Edi Iordănescu “cuts him” in the premiere to Răzvan Burleanu: “Why didn't he do it?!”

CONTEXT:

• Edi Iordănescu was disturbed when he was put on the list of possible selectors, although behind the scenes it was known for a long time that the next coach of the national team would be Gică Hagi, which happened: “It was not fair play to use my name on the lists. They could call me”;
• in reply, Răzvan Burleanu conveyed that “Edi Iordănescu had the opportunity to continue with the national team, but he did not want to for the reasons he presented at the time. I think he regretted not continuing after Euro 2024”;
• as Iordănescu comments on the reaction of the FRF president, below.

Edi Iordănescu, on the GSP “2 to 1” podcast: “Răzvan Burleanu's statement is incomplete”

Since Edi did not extend the contract with the Federation after the best performance of our national team in this century, the presence in the round of 16 of Euro 2024, the separation is still generating controversy, two years later.

“It is a very fair but incomplete statement”this is how Iordănescu relates to Răzvan Burleanu's position.

It details: “And the Federation was able to keep me. Why didn't he? Why didn't he manage to find the way, to create the necessary bridge for continuity?

I had a special relationship with the president of the Federation – professional, humane, there was communication, I had all the support while I was there, he behaved ultraprofessionally with me, I am grateful to him from all points of view.

But the statement is incomplete. His lordship himself said that it was the best performance of the national team in the last 24 years. And then he probably had to find the means for us to continue. It didn't happen.

In the end, the decision not to continue was mine, yes, but I didn't find the way. I wanted some things, the Federation saw it one way, I saw it another way, and we didn't reach a consensus”.

“It was natural to continue. I had prepared the post-Euro strategy”

The logical decision, in the view of Iordănescu Jr, was for Romania to have kept him on the bench.

“I would like the subject to be clear. With the failure of the national team qualification, again the world started to bring my departure into reality. A lot of people were curious why I left in the end, because maybe I owed a better clarification.

I made a public statement then. Being the end of the contract… I didn't continue, because I didn't extend the contract. I didn't leave in the middle of the campaign, it wasn't a unilaterally terminated contract. Then I thought it was enough to make that statement, to say broadly that I am no longer continuing”, declared Iordănescu, on the GSP podcast “2 la 1”.

28 matchesplayed against Romania with Edi Iordănescu as coach: 10 wins, 10 draws, 8 defeats

With the late Mircea Lucescu as coach, Romania missed the qualification for the World Championship, so recently the Federation hired Gică Hagi as a coach.

“I think it was very good for everyone if there was continuity. I say it with all the regret for Mircea, for what happened… May God forgive him! It was hard for him. We understand even better now what efforts he made.

But it was clear that it was a group with extraordinary cohesion, we had gone through some stages. Some confirmations had come, winning the qualifying group, winning the Euro group. The environment was already built. I think the wisest and most natural decision was to have continuity. It didn't happen. This disqualification came, my departure actually came back.

What I can say is that I wanted and I was sure to continue until close to the European. I prepared the post-Euro strategy, what was to come for the League of Nations and the qualification for the World Cup. Unfortunately, we did not find the common denominator. It belongs to the past. What matters now is that Gică be successful and put his strategy into practice”, is the version of the former coach, free of contract after the break with Legia Warsaw, produced last fall.

“Disrespect!”

Iordănescu maintains his point of view, that it did not make sense his inclusion on the list of possible selectors.

“I was not angry with the Technical Commission. I know them, they are former coaches, great footballers, people who have succeeded in life. I was angry with the process. I worked there for two and a half years, I performed. We had constant communication, dialogue. It was enough to have been asked: “Is it worth considering you? Do you want it?”. I didn't even say I should be the first or only option, even though I was the last one to demonstrate, right?

When I came to the national team, I think I was the 4th or 5th solution and the grades did not fall. Even if I am proud, I considered it natural, because there were at least 2-3 more experienced names, with richer CVs: Boloni, Petrescu, Gică Hagi, Olăroiu.

Without being immodest, the circumstances were different now. Either I was the main solution or not at all! I repeat, a simple phone call or a 5 minute meeting solves everything.

I found it disrespectful and illogical. Especially since the information I had was that it had been known for some time who would be the coach”, concludes the newest guest on the GSP “2 to 1” podcast.

About Edi Iordănescu:

• he performed in the Stella juniors and has a match even in the seniors, debuted by Dumitru Dumitriu in 1996, when the red-blues were mathematically champions;
• after that season, he was transferred to Sportul, in Division B, and from there he arrived at Panionios. He played in the UEFA Cup quarter-final in the spring of 1999 against Lazio;
• he returned to the country and was taken by Mircea Lucescu to Rapid, where he suffered a serious injury;
• he retired in 2004, from FC Vaslui, at the age of 26;
• “principal” since 2013, at Fortuna Brazi, Târgu Mureș, Pandurii, CSKA Sofia, Astra, CFR Cluj, Gaz Metan, FCSB and Legia Warsaw;
• the Romanian national team coach between January 2022 and July 2024;
• with him on the bench, Romania achieved the best performance of this century, the presence in the “eights” of Euro 2024, after a group won with Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine;
• he lifted 4 trophies during his coaching career, a title and two Supercups with CFR Cluj, plus another Supercup, but of Poland, alongside Legia;
• he took teams such as Pandurii, Astra, Gaz Metan to the League 1 play-off.

“2 to 1” with Edi Iordănescu, Friday, 18:00. The main topics addressed:

• the conditions he puts in order to sign with the new team;
• sharp answer for Răzvan Burleanu;
• what Iordănescu never said before;
• the reply of Ancelotti who “blocked” him;
• unknown episodes from the camps;
• why he gave up Mitriță;
• the offer received from Stella's historical rival;
• the footballers he regrets not calling for Euro 2024;
• how the rule that Iordănescu is thinking about would revolutionize football;
• Champions League trends;
• choose the best “11” in the world.