Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published on Thursday, 14 May 2026 20:37 / Updated on Thursday, 14 May 2026 21:02
Daniel Pancu found out that Ioan Varga called him “senseless” a few hours earlier. The coach gave a reply to the boss from Gruia, considering that the team only had to win with him on the bench.
Daniel Pancu, message for Ioan Varga: “They gave me a pit. Make me numb…”
“Yes, well, I don't know why I would be rude, I don't know what he's referring to. They won championships when there were one or two teams with very good bases or conditions. Now they're 5-6. In these conditions, it's not possible anymore, that's my opinion. It's a field 3 minutes from the stadium, but I don't know what can be solved, there's a solution.
There are people who say they gave me a chance. No, CFR gave me a pit! They all gave me a month at CFR, or they said that Pancu would be kicked out after 5 stages. They gave me a pit, I gave CFR a chance. I am a big plus, there are millions and millions earned with me. Those who left left while I was coach, Louis Munteanu, Hindrich. They are a big plus, millions…
I can never be numb, I used up a lot of energy. I am the biggest supporter of the CFR since I came here. I have a very good relationship with the players, make me feel numb… Everything has been on the plus side since I've been here. I asked for some normal things.
Mr. Varga is not a bad man, that's why I say that I don't know the context. I said my opinion, he's the boss of the team. He put in a bunch of millions, I don't know what it's comparable to. Maybe only with Mr. Mititelu. He is dedicated body and soul. A lot of what he produces in business goes back into the club.
It's not treason if I go to Rapid. It wouldn't be treason. How? If I am the biggest supporter and there are some things that stay here… This team goes to the championship next season with 3-4 transfers. It's just that more players will be lost.
If you put a match from now and one since I arrived, you say it's Real Madrid with a second league team. It will be easy for the incoming coach if I leave. No one can mock with words all the sleepless nights since I came. We are not some smarter and some dumber. He may have said it laughing, jokingly.
There are probably 70 coaches in the queue, not 7, I don't care about that. Whoever comes, makes 3-4 transfers, the team enters the normal lane. There are good chances to play in Europe”, said Daniel Pancu, on the show “Fotbal Club”, from Digi Sport.
Daniel Pancu and Nicolae Dică contradicted each other live
Then, Nicolae Dică, present in the studio, wanted to intervene and a short exchange of lines followed between the two.
– I mean: “Earlier, I was among those who said that CFR Cluj gave you a chance to train”
– Pancu: “But I didn't come from the street, but from the EURO. You forget that in the summer I was preparing matches with 200 million opponents. I came from a level…”
– I mean: “I know, but will you let me say what I have to say? Please. You came to a team that won championships, cups, not many years ago, but recently. The team was going through a difficult time, but you know very well that a coach does not come in a good time, but in a more difficult one”
– Pancu: “But wait, because before me there were two more chances, two coaches”
– I mean: “I said that they gave you a chance that you took advantage of and maybe it was better if you didn't come out with certain statements, it was better that they stayed there”
– Pancu: “What I say to the players I say to you, as well as what I say to the managers”
Chronology of the scandal at CFR Cluj:
