Nicolae Grigore, aged 43, provided his first comments following his departure from Gloria Bistrița. The coach left the Liga 2 team after a significant 0-3 loss away to FC Bacău.
Reports suggest that the decision to part ways was influenced by an error made by the technical staff during a previous match against Râmnicu Vâlcea, which was won 1-0 but may be forfeited due to player eligibility violations.
In the match against Râmnicu Vâlcea on October 10, the team might have breached the regulations regarding eligible players, risking the victory turning into a 0-3 loss on forfeit.
Two days after his exit, Grigore reflected on his time at Bistrița, discussing the reasons for his departure and his future plans.
Grigore’s First Reaction: ‘I Leave with Peace of Mind’
The former coach believes he achieved his objectives during his time with Gloria Bistrița, highlighting past successes from the previous season.
He noted his role in saving the team from relegation and their near qualification for the semifinals of the Betano Romanian Cup.
“I leave with peace of mind regarding my time in Bistrița. Let’s remember that last season I saved the team from relegation and we were just seconds away from a cup semifinal. I feel for the players, but that is the fate of coaches.
“I believe we were on track, just three points away from playoff contention, with a match against Dumbrăvița, the last-placed team, coming up. With all due respect, it was a game we could have won.
“There were discussions and dissatisfaction even before the match in Bacău, not only after this defeat. It was a game on artificial turf, affected by individual mistakes.
“Almost all teams face issues playing there. After this painful defeat, we met, and ultimately agreed to terminate the contract.
“Now, I’ll head home to relax before deciding my next steps. One thing is certain: I want to return to coaching quickly,” Grigore stated, according to liga2.ro.
Grigore’s Tenure: 39 Matches with Gloria Bistrița
Nicolae Grigore managed Gloria Bistrița for over a year, leading the team in 39 official matches.
His record included 18 wins, 4 draws, and 17 losses, resulting in an average of 1.49 points per game.
Gloria Bistrița currently sits in 12th place in Liga 2, having accumulated 15 points after the first 10 matches.
