The coach was out of contract immediately after Farul

Croitoru was Chindia's breakdown solution ahead of the League 2 play-offs when Ilie Poenaru was sacked. After a disastrous run in the play-offs, after which they finished in 6th place, Chindia went to the play-offs because Bihor and CSA Steaua did not have the right to promotion.

With Farul, Chindia drew twice, 3-3 in Târgoviște and 1-1 in Ovidiu. The tie was decided in penalty kicks, where the “sailors” had stronger nerves and did not miss. Iulian Roșu and Andrei Pandele did not score for Chindia from 11 meters and the Dambovites remained in League 2.

Nicu Croitoru, after Farul – Chindia: “The agreement with the club was for this period”

“We were anticipating that we would play a good game. It's deja vu, it's the second time I've lost a shootout on penalties. It's a shame, we played two games with Farul, which shouldn't have been here, judging by the composition of the team.

Unfortunately, the penalty draw was not in our favor. We practiced the penalties, Pandele executes well. Youth mattered a lot in his case, he has no experience.

We're going to resume the League 2 championship, I think this tie showed that we can do more. After a first year, I hope we draw the right conclusions to promote next year”, said Croitoru, on Prima Sport 1.

Asked if he could convince Florea to abandon his decision to retire, he said: “It's hard to convince, he was an important player, I congratulate him on his career. He is a man who sticks to his principles and the decisions he makes.”

Then he said he was leaving: “The agreement with the club was for this period, it was a difficult moment, I accepted it. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I'm proud of what the boys did. It wasn't easy for them, but they believed and time proved that their evolution was one of growth”