Steaua București legend Ștefan Iovan, at 66 years old, remains hopeful that the club will finally overcome its legal issues blocking its path to the top league. In a recent interview, the former defender of the “militaries” expressed his desire to see the Ghencea stadium buzzing with excitement once again, while also evaluating the role of Radu Miruță, the former Minister of Defense, who has been vocal about the challenges facing Steaua.
Steaua has been stuck in Liga 2 for years, currently navigating a tumultuous season that sees them at risk of missing the play-off for the second time since their relegation. The club’s goal is complicated by new regulations from the Federation, which will restrict promotion rights for public entities starting in the 2028/29 season.
In the meantime, the military club hopes to change its status to make promotion to the Superliga a feasible goal. Recently, Victor Pițurcă reignited optimism among fans by claiming that “it’s spoken about, yes. Steaua will have promotion rights starting next season. 99% sure!”
Iovan Calls for Cooperation Between Private Investors and the Ministry
Iovan stated, “The one who made the efforts for us to have promotion rights, Miruță, is no longer here, the government has changed, and someone else has come in. From my perspective, we are still at the same place… The private sector and the Ministry need to reach an agreement. Miruță did take steps, and I saw that he said there’s no turning back and that Steaua is moving forward.
While I appreciated his efforts for Steaua, upon his arrival, he made cuts that prevented contracts with better players, leaving the team in its current situation and having to cope with what it had.
When you say you want to promote and obtain promotion rights, you need a team to work with and a strategy.
The Ministry of Defense portfolio, previously held by Radu Miruță, is now under the responsibility of the social democrat Ștefan-Radu Oprea, a senator from Prahova and former Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism.
“Let Ghencea Buzz Like It Once Did!”
The former defender continued, “I, at least, really want us to have promotion rights, to feel that Ghencea is buzzing again like it once was! Not for us to work there, but to see Ghencea happy again… Everyone would benefit, and people would be happy.
Our desire is to see Steaua back in the top league! Things would move quickly if we had promotion, and we would reach European cups instead of just treading water.
If promotion rights existed, I believe things would change rapidly, everyone would return here. [Including those from FCSB?] It’s possible!”, Iovan added.
What’s next for Steaua? To optimize club activities, I have moved coordination from Steaua to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense. With the involvement of one of the members of the Golden Generation, we have made strides toward the long-awaited association aimed at promotion. There is interest from a sufficiently large investor for the club’s financial needs, and discussions have begun to take shape. However, the law governing the Ministry of Defense needs to be amended to create a new commercial entity, as required in discussions with potential investors. This stage could not be legally completed in the five months of interim government. I am fully confident that the efforts to bring Steaua to its true potential will not be halted by any political force. The fans and athletes of Steaua deserve this and have the power to guide politics in that direction. – Radu Miruță, former Minister of Defense
Optimism from Victor Pițurcă: “99% Sure”
On September 30, Victor Pițurcă stated in a TV appearance that Steaua is expected to obtain promotion rights to the Superliga starting next season.
The former star player of the “militaries” maintained that an association with a private investor would occur: “It’s 99% sure,” he said.
“Steaua will have promotion rights next year. A private investor will come and associate with the section. (In response to Radu Naum’s question: ‘Will the section disband, will a new entity be created…?) Exactly, exactly. A private entity that will be the majority. I say 99% it’s certain. Something is being discussed, yes.
Will I enter the club? It depends on who comes, how much they invest. If I am asked for help and I feel good and believe it can be achieved, then yes. As a coach? No, let the young boys coach them,” Pițurcă stated during the Fotbal Club show on Digi Sport.
