Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Thursday, 21 May 2026, 20:19 / Updated on Thursday, 21 May 2026 20:23
Claudiu Niculescu (49 years old) he is no longer officially the coach of Unirea Slobozia. The people of Ialomi announced in a post on their Facebook page during Thursday evening the parting with the coach who failed to save from relegation.
Unirea Slobozia were relegated to League 2 earlier this week, and Claudiu Niculescu left the team. He had made it clear that he no longer wanted to continue, after failing to save the team, and on Wednesday the president Ilie Lemnaru announced that the coach was going to take a break. On Thursday came the official confirmation of the separation between the two parties.
Claudiu Niculescu is no longer the coach of Slobozia
Thank you, Claudiu Niculescu! Unirea Slobozia announces the separation from head coach Claudiu Niculescu.
Our club thanks him for all his hard work and wishes him the best of luck in his next challenges!
– announced by Unirea Slobozia
Claudiu Niculescu is no longer the coach of Slobozia // photo: Facebook
The former striker had been appointed to Slobozia's bench in February, with the aim of saving the team from relegation, when he replaced Andrei Prepelita. In the last six stages of the play-out, Unirea recorded three draws and three defeats and failed to save itself, finishing in penultimate place, with 22 points.
He came in at a difficult time and proved that he is a coach who has done his job with top and bottom. He is a professional, he has changed the face of the team and I would be happy if he finds a League 1 team in the future.
Everyone here wanted us to continue together, Claudiu knows this. He wanted a break and I'm sorry we didn't manage to have him next season.
– Ilie Lemnaru, president of Unirea Slobozia
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Throughout his career, Niculescu also trained Cluj University, FC Bihor, Damila Măciuca, CSM Râmnicu Vâlcea, CS Mioveni, FC Voluntari, Dinamo Bucharest, Al-Tai, Concordia Chiajna, Politehnica Iași, Șelimbăr and CSM Slatina.
