View source for Angelo Niculescu

{{Short description|Romanian footballer and manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Angelo Niculescu
| image = Angelo Niculescu 1970.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Niculescu in 1970
| fullname = Angelo Niculescu
| birth_date  = {{birth date|1921|10|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Craiova]], Romania
| death_date  = {{death date and age|2015|6|20|1921|10|1|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Bucharest]], Romania
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| years1 = 1937–1939
| years2 = 1939–1944 
| years3 = 1945–1947 
| years4 = 1947–1948 
| years5 = 1948–1950
| clubs1 = Rovine Grivița Craiova
| clubs2 = [[FC Craiova]] 
| clubs3 = [[Carmen București]] 
| clubs4 = [[Ciocanul București]] 
| clubs5 = [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]]{{efn|name="DIN"|Only the statistics for the [[1950 Divizia A]] season are available.<ref name=RSD>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/stiri/68282/dinamo-bucuresti-in-1950.htm|title=Dinamo Bucuresti in 1950 |publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>}}
| caps1 = 
| goals1 = 
| caps2 = 
| goals2 = 
| caps3 = 
| goals3 = 
| caps4 = 29
| goals4 = 1
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 0
| totalcaps = 46
| totalgoals = 1
| nationalyears1 = 
| nationalteam1 = 
| nationalcaps1 = 
| nationalgoals1 = 
| manageryears1 = 1952 
| manageryears2 = 1953–1957 
| manageryears3 = 1958 
| manageryears4 = 1958–1959 
| manageryears5 = 1964–1966 
| manageryears6 = 1967–1972 
| manageryears7 = 1973–1977 
| manageryears8 = 1977–1979 
| manageryears9 = 1979–1980 
| manageryears10 = 1980–1981 
| manageryears11 = 1981–1983
| manageryears12 = 1983–1984
| manageryears13 = 1991–1992
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]] (juniors)
| managerclubs2 = [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]] 
| managerclubs3 = [[FC Steaua București|Steaua București]] 
| managerclubs4 = [[Tractorul Brașov]] 
| managerclubs5 = [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]] 
| managerclubs6 = [[Romania national football team|Romania]] 
| managerclubs7 = [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Sportul Studențesc București]] 
| managerclubs8 = [[FC Politehnica Timișoara|Politehnica Timișoara]] 
| managerclubs9 = [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]] 
| managerclubs10 = [[FCM Bacău|SC Bacău]] 
| managerclubs11 = [[FC Universitatea Cluj|Universitatea Cluj]] 
| managerclubs12 = [[Oțelul Galați]]
| managerclubs13 = [[Club Africain]] (technical director)
}}

'''Angelo Niculescu''' (1 October 1921 – 20 June 2015) was a [[Romania]]n [[football (soccer)|football]] player and  manager. He is best remembered in Romania for being the national team's coach at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970 World Cup]] and for inventing the "temporizare" ("delaying") tactics in which the team keeps the possession of the ball inside its own half and the players are using many short passes from one side to another of the field in order to disrupt the opponents patience when they go out of their field to make pressing, this is also considered an early form of [[tiki-taka]], with such tactics he managed to qualify Romania to a World Cup after more than 30 years and register a win against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]].<ref name=GSP>{{cite web| url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/fostii-elevi-il-omagiaza-pe-angelo-niculescu-a-fost-cel-mai-mare-antrenor-al-romaniei-452339.html| title=Foștii elevi îl omagiază pe Angelo Niculescu: "A fost cel mai mare antrenor al României!"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Former students pay tribute to Angelo Niculescu: "He was Romania's greatest coach!"| date=22 June 2015| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=revista>{{cite web| url=http://www.revistavip.net/Arhiva_RevistaVIP/Angelo_Niculescu_Gicu_a_fost_indisciplinat/30/779/| title=Angelo Niculescu: "Gicu a fost indisciplinat"| publisher=Revistavip.net| language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu: "Gicu was undisciplined"| date=| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=mediafax>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/fostul-selectioner-angelo-niculescu-a-incetat-din-viata-14478941|title=Fostul selectioner Angelo Niculescu a incetat din viata|publisher=Mediafax.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=The former national team coach Angelo Niculescu has passed away|date=20 June 2015 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=pro>{{cite web|url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/angelo-niculescu-antrenorul-considerat-de-fifa-inventatorul-tiki-taka-a-murit-la-varsta-de-93-de-ani.html|title=Angelo Niculescu, antrenorul considerat de FIFA inventatorul "tiki-taka", a murit la varsta de 93 de ani|publisher=Mediafax.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu, the coach considered by FIFA to be the inventor of "tiki-taka", died at the age of 93|date=23 June 2015 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>

==Playing career==
Angelo Niculescu was born on 1 October 1921 in [[Craiova]], Romania and he started playing football in 1937 at age 15 in [[Liga II|Divizia B]] at local club Rovine Grivița.<ref name=GSP2>{{cite web| url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/superreportaje/in-tinerete-angelo-niculescu-i-a-admirat-pe-baratki-si-bodola-amintiri-pe-o-scoarta-de-copac-185857.html| title=În tinereţe, Angelo Niculescu i-a admirat pe Baratki și Bodola. Amintiri pe o scoarță de copac| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=In his youth, Angelo Niculescu admired Baratki and Bodola. Memories on a tree bark| date=16 April 2010| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=GSP3>{{cite web| url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/diverse/dupa-41-de-ani-angelo-niculescu-rupe-tacearea-in-cazul-dobrin-pleca-noaptea-din-cantonament-la-bautura-224666.html| title=După 41 de ani Angelo Niculescu rupe tăcearea în cazul Dobrin: "Pleca noaptea din cantonament la băutură!"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=After 41 years, Angelo Niculescu breaks the silence in the Dobrin case: "He left the cantonment at night to drink!"| date=18 January 2011| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=libertatea>{{cite web| url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/murit-angelo-niculescu-antrenorul-care-dus-romania-la-cm-1970-1362214| title=A murit Angelo Niculescu! Își simțea sfârșitul: "Am trăit destul!"| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu died! He felt his end: "I have lived enough!"| date=20 June 2015| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=prosport>{{cite web| url=https://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/special/la-moartea-unui-geniu-angelo-niculescu-singurul-antrenor-roman-creditat-cu-o-inventie-care-a-revolutionat-fotbalul-a-luptat-pe-frontul-de-est-si-a-adus-romania-pe-harta-mondialelor-in-2011-fifa-l-a-re-14480322| title=La moartea unui geniu. Angelo Niculescu, singurul antrenor român creditat cu o invenție care a revoluționat fotbalul, a luptat pe Frontul de Est și a adus România pe harta Mondialelor. În 2011, FIFA l-a recunoscut oficial ca părinte al stilului tiki-taka|publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=On the death of a genius. Angelo Niculescu, the only Romanian coach credited with an invention that revolutionized football, fought on the Eastern Front and put Romania on the World Cup map. In 2011, FIFA officially recognized him as the father of the tiki-taka style| date=21 June 2015| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=wesport>{{cite web| url=https://welovesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-100-de-ani-de-la-nasterea-lui-angelo-niculescu-14600| title=100 de ani de la nașterea lui Angelo Niculescu|publisher=Welovesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=100 years since the birth of Angelo Niculescu| date=1 October 2021| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=historia>{{cite web| url=https://historia.ro/sectiune/actualitate/angelo-niculescu-dezvaluie-de-ce-n-a-jucat-dobrin-585510.html| title=Angelo Niculescu dezvăluie de ce n-a jucat Dobrin în Mexic| publisher=Historia.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu reveals why Dobrin did not play in Mexico| date=| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=adevarul>{{cite web| url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/interviu-angelo-niculescu-inventatorul-tiki-taka-1482756.html| title=Angelo Niculescu, inventatorul tiki-taka: "Cumpăr ghidurile TV ca să ştiu în ce zi suntem"|publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu, the inventor of tiki-taka: "I buy TV guides to know what day it is"| date=19 October 2013| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=adevarul2>{{cite web| url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/a-murit-angelo-niculescu-antrenorul-care-a-condus-1631839.html| title=A murit Angelo Niculescu, antrenorul care a condus România la Mondialul din 1970|publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu, the coach who led Romania to the World Cup in 1970, has died| date=20 June 2015| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> In 1939 he moved to play for neighboring team, [[FC Craiova]] with whom he won the 1942–43 championship which was not recognized by the [[Romanian Football Federation]] because the teams from [[Transylvania]] were unable to participate as the territory was annexed to [[Hungary]] due to the [[Second Vienna Award]].<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adevarul.ro/articole/angelo-niculescu-razvan-lucescu-isi-poate-depasi-tatal.html | title=Angelo Niculescu: "Răzvan Lucescu îşi poate depăşi tatăl"| publisher=Clujcapitala.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu: "Răzvan Lucescu can surpass his father"| date=16 September 2009| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120807022510/http://www.adevarul.ro/articole/angelo-niculescu-razvan-lucescu-isi-poate-depasi-tatal.html| access-date=16 January 2023| archive-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> During [[World War II]] his career was interrupted for a while as he was called by the [[Romanian Armed Forces|Romanian Army]] to fight on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]].<ref name=prosport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/> In 1945, Niculescu went to play for [[Carmen București]] where he stayed two years, moving afterwards at [[Ciocanul București]] who after one year merged with [[Carmen București|Carmen]] in order to form [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]] where he played in the following two years, ending his career at age 29 in which he earned a total of 93 [[Liga I|Divizia A]] appearances with three goals scored.<ref name=RSD/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/stiri/68271/sfarsitul-echipei-ciocanul.htm|title=Sfârșitul echipei Ciocanul |publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>

== Managerial career ==

{{Quote box|
 width=20%
|align=left
|quote="He was an innovator of football. A fair guy, severe enough, a man of justice. The most important thing was that he formed people. Valuable people of Romanian football."
|source= – [[Mircea Sandu]], former Sportul Studențesc București player talking about Angelo Niculescu<ref name=GSP/>}}

=== First and second spell at Dinamo ===
[[File:Dinamo București (fotbal) 1965.jpg|thumb|left|260px|{{center|Niculescu (second row, first from left) with Dinamo București in the 1964–65 season}}]]
Niculescu started coaching in 1952 at [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]]'s junior center, after one year moving to be the head coach of the senior squad which he helped win the first [[Liga I|Divizia A]] title in the clubs history in [[Divizia A 1955|1955]], also reaching the [[1954 Cupa României Final|1954 Cupa României final]] which was lost by Dinamo with 2–0 in front of [[CSM Școlar Reșița|Metalul Reșița]] and led the team in the first European match of a Romanian team in the [[1956–57 European Cup]] in the 3–1 victory against [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]], helping ''[[FC Dinamo București|The Red Dogs]]'' go to the next phase of the competition where they were eliminated by [[PFC CSKA Sofia|CDNA Sofia]].<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=RSC>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/menu_items/champions.shtml|title=Romania National Champions |publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=RSCR>{{cite web|url=http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1954.shtml|title=Romanian Cup - Season 1954|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gsp.ro/international/liga-campionilor/retro-gsp-64-de-ani-de-la-primul-meci-european-al-unei-echipe-romanesti-608325.html|title=RETRO GSP. 64 de ani de la primul meci european al unei echipe românești. Dinamo i-a scos pe turci, apoi a urmat măcelul!|publisher=Gsp.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=RETRO GSP. 64 years since the first European match of a Romanian team. Dinamo took out the Turks, then the slaughter followed!|date=26 August 2020 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> He left Dinamo in 1957 but after two short experiences at [[FC Steaua București|Steaua București]] and [[Tractorul Brașov]], he returned at Dinamo in 1964, helping the club win another [[Liga I|Divizia A]] title in the [[Divizia A 1964–65|1964–65]] season, also he has a total of 16 matches led in European competitions, all with ''[[FC Dinamo București|The Red Dogs]]'' consisting of 10 victories and 6 losses.<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=RSC/><ref name=GSP4>{{cite web| url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/50-de-ani-angelo-niculescu-678508.html| title=50 de ani de la ultimul meci al lui Angelo Niculescu, selecționerul care s-a războit cu Dumitrache și Dobrin. Fănuș Neagu l-a "îngropat" într-un articol din România literară| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=50 years since the last match of Angelo Niculescu, the selector who fought with Dumitrache and Dobrin. Fănuș Neagu "buried" him in an article from Literary Romania| date=29 October 2022| access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> One of his most important European victories was the historical 2–1 over [[Helenio Herrera]]'s [[Inter Milan]] from the [[1965–66 European Cup]] edition, the Italians being winners of the previous two seasons of the competition, saying after the game:"I am happy that Herrera's "concrete" was broken by the movement on the field of our players. With fair refereeing we would have won even more clearly".<ref name=GSP5>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/retro-gsp-video-si-foto-1-decembrie-1965-ziua-nationala-a-cainilor-cea-in-care-au-invins-dubla-campioana-a-europei-si-a-lumii-584274.html | title=1 decembrie 1965, Ziua națională a "câinilor": cea în care au învins dubla campioană a Europei și a lumii| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=December 1, 1965, the national day of the "dogs": the one in which they defeated the double champion of Europe and the world| date=1 December 2019 | access-date=14 September 2024}}</ref> However, they lost the second leg with 2–0.<ref name=GSP5/>

=== At the Romanian National Team ===
He was named coach of [[Romania national football team|Romania's national team]] in 1967, making his debut in a 1–0 home loss in front of [[Italy national football team|Italy]] at the [[UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying Group 6|Euro 1968 qualifiers]].<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=EU>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_manager.php?id=431|title=Angelo Niculescu manager profile|publisher=European Football|access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> He guided the national team through the successful [[1970 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|1970 World Cup qualifiers]] where they earned the first position of a group composed of [[Greece national football team|Greece]], [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] and [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], thus qualifying for the [[1970 FIFA World Cup|final tournament]] after a absence of 32 years where they earned a 2–1 victory in front of [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] but lost with 1–0 in front of [[World Cup]] title holders, [[England national football team|England]] and with 3–2 in front of the eventual winners of the Mexican tournament, [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]].<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=GSP4/><ref name=EU/> He was very criticized because he did not use [[Nicolae Dobrin]] in any games at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970 World Cup]], the reasons Niculescu didn't use him are unclear but the fact that Dobrin did not play is considered one of the most controversial moments in the history of the Romanian football.<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/angelo-niculescu-dezvaluie-de-ce-nu-a-jucat-dobrin-la-mondialul-din-mexic-7902626|title=Angelo Niculescu dezvaluie de ce nu a jucat Dobrin la mondialul din Mexic|publisher=Mediafax.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu reveals why Dobrin did not play at the World Cup in Mexico|date=19 January 2011 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> He also guided the national team at the [[UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying Group 1|1972 Euro qualifiers]] where they earned the first position of a group composed of [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]], [[Wales national football team|Wales]] and [[Finland national football team|Finland]], thus managing to reach the [[UEFA Euro 1972 quarter-finals|quarter-finals]] where [[Romania national football team|Romania]] was defeated by [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], who advanced to the [[UEFA Euro 1972|final tournament]].<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=EU/> His last game led as [[Romania national football team|Romania]]'s manager took place on 29 October 1972 in a 2–0 home victory against [[Albania national football team|Albania]] at the [[1974 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4|1974 World Cup qualifiers]], having a total of 38 games consisting of 12 victories, 17 draws and 9 losses.<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=GSP4/><ref name=EU/>

=== Sportul Studențesc, Poli Timișoara ===
In 1973, Angelo Niculescu went to coach [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Sportul Studențesc București]] until 1977, then he went to coach for two years [[FC Politehnica Timișoara|Politehnica Timișoara]] where in the [[1977–78 Divizia A|1977–78]] season he was close to win the championship as the team was leading with three rounds before the end of the season but after a loss with 4–2 in front of [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo]], they ended the championship on the 3rd position with three points behind champions, [[FC Steaua București|Steaua]].<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/>

=== Third spell at Dinamo, SC Bacău, U and Oțelul ===
From 1979 until 1980 he had a third spell at [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]], then he coached [[FCM Bacău|SC Bacău]] for one season, moving to [[FC Universitatea Cluj|Universitatea Cluj]] for two seasons where in the first one, the team relegated to [[Liga II|Divizia B]] and he ended his coaching career in 1984 after one season spent at [[Oțelul Galați]], having a total of 445 [[Liga I|Divizia A]] matches, consisting of 196 victories, 101 draws and 148 losses.<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=GSP4/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/divizia_a/top_antrenori.shtml| title= Top 60 antrenori| publisher=RomanianSoccer.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Top 60 coaches|access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>

=== In Africa ===
After the [[1989 Romanian Revolution]], he went to work as technical director in [[Tunisia]] at [[Club Africain]], bringing [[Ilie Balaci]] as head coach and in only one season spent at the club they won the [[CAF Champions League]], [[Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1|Tunisian League]] and the [[Tunisia Cup|Tunisian Cup]].<ref name=revista/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=historia/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/angelo-niculescu-acuzat-ca-a-vrut-sa-l-termine-1778339.html|title=Angelo Niculescu, acuzat că a vrut să-l "termine" şi pe Ilie Balaci: "Nu puteam să realizez cât de periculos e moşu'. Aşa s-a întâmplat şi cu Dobrin, în Mexic!"|publisher=Adevarul.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Angelo Niculescu, accused of wanting to "finish off" Ilie Balaci: "I couldn't realize how dangerous the old man is. That's what happened to Dobrin, in Mexico!"|date=12 April 2017 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>

For representing his country at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970 World Cup]], Niculescu was decorated by [[President of Romania]] [[Traian Băsescu]] on 25 March 2008 with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" – (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class III.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Monitorul_Oficial_al_Rom%C3%A2niei._Partea_I_2008-03-28%2C_nr._241.pdf |title=DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv |publisher=Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241 |date=28 March 2008 |page=3 |access-date= 16 January 2023}}</ref>

=== Innovative tactic ===
He is known in Romania for inventing the "temporizare" ("delaying") tactics in which the team keeps the possession of the ball inside its own half and the players are using many short passes from one side to another of the field in order to disrupt the opponents patience when they go out of their field to make pressing, this is also considered an early form of [[tiki-taka]], with such tactics he managed to qualify Romania to a World Cup after more than 30 years and register a win against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]].<ref name=mediafax/><ref name=pro/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP3/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=adevarul2/> In 2011 [[FIFA]] named Niculescu the inventor of the [[tiki-taka]] style of play and so did [[UEFA]] in 2014.<ref name=prosport/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=prosport2>{{cite web|url=https://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/special/fotbalul-romanesc-in-doliu-angelo-niculescu-selectionerul-romaniei-la-mondialul-din-70-a-decedat-ultimul-interviu-acordat-prosport-14478760|title=Fotbalul românesc, în doliu! Angelo Niculescu, selecționerul României la Mondialul din '70, a decedat! Ultimul interviu acordat ProSport|publisher=Prosport.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Romanian football, in mourning! Angelo Niculescu, Romania's coach at the 1970 World Cup, has died! The last interview given to ProSport|date=26 June 2015 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cancan.ro/antrenorul-care-a-inventat-tiki-taka-a-ajuns-la-93-de-ani-varsta-m-a-subtiat-e-rau-cand-depinzi-de-altii-ce-spune-de-lucescu-15016367|title=Antrenorul care a inventat tiki-taka a ajuns la 93 de ani! "Varsta m-a subtiat. E rau cand depinzi de altii!", ce spune de Mircea Lucescu|publisher=Cancan.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=The coach who invented tiki-taka has reached 93 years old! "Age has thinned me out. It's bad when you depend on others!", says Mircea Lucescu|date=26 October 2014 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=UEFA.com|date=2015-06-20|title=Romania mourns World Cup coach Niculescu|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0222-0e911fafd467-7b0d21a6bf9f-1000--romania-mourns-world-cup-coach-niculescu/|access-date=16 January 2023|website=[[UEFA]]|language=en}}</ref>

==Writing==
Angelo Niculescu started writing chronicles, comments and match analysis in 1958 as a journalist for the "Sportul popular" newspaper.<ref name=GSP2/> He also wrote two volumes about football:<ref name=mediafax/><ref name=pro/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://frf.ro/comunicate-frf/s-a-stins-din-viață-fostul-antrenor-al-naţionalei-româniei-angelo-niculescu-6792.html | title=S-a stins din viață fostul antrenor al naționalei României, Angelo Niculescu| publisher=Frf.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The former coach of the Romanian national team, Angelo Niculescu, passed away| date=20 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623043304/http://frf.ro/comunicate-frf/s-a-stins-din-via%C8%9B%C4%83-fostul-antrenor-al-na%C5%A3ionalei-rom%C3%A2niei-angelo-niculescu-6792.html| access-date=16 January 2023| archive-date=23 June 2015}}</ref>
* Fotbal. Metode si mijloace de antrenament ''(Football. Training methods and means)'' - co-written with [[Ion Ionescu (footballer, born 1936)|Ion V. Ionescu]] (1972)
* Corabia cu 11 pasageri ''(The ship with 11 passengers)'' (1974)

==Personal life==
He had four brothers and one of them, Jean Niculescu was a footballer at [[Olympia București]].<ref name=historia/><ref name=adevarul/> Niculescu died on 20 June 2015 in his apartment from [[Bucharest]] and was buried at the [[Ghencea Cemetery|Ghencea Military Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/trupul-neinsufletit-al-lui-angelo-niculescu-a-fost-depus-la-mausoleul-eroilor-cimitirului-ghncea-militar-1362072|title=Angelo Niculescu, depus la Mausoleul Eroilor din Cimitirul Ghencea Militar|language=ro|first=Petre|last=Dobrescu|newspaper=[[Libertatea]]|date=June 22, 2015|access-date=July 7, 2024}}</ref> The president of [[FIFA]], [[Joseph Blatter]] said: "Please accept my condolences for the passing of former player and coach Angelo Niculescu. He will be remembered for his contribution to Romanian football, especially as the inventor of the tiki-taka style of play."<ref name=GSP/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=pro/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=wesport/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=prosport2/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/blatter-angelo-niculescu-va-fi-tinut-minte-ca-inventatorul-tiki-taka-175084|title=Blatter: "Angelo Niculescu va fi ținut minte ca inventatorul tiki-taka"|publisher=Digisport.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Blatter: "Angelo Niculescu will be remembered as the inventor of tiki-taka"|date=23 June 2015 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.antena3.ro/sport/fotbal-extern/omagiu-suprem-adus-de-seful-fifa-unei-legende-a-fotbalul-romanesc-el-a-inventat-tiki-taka-297784.html|title=Omagiu suprem adus de șeful FIFA unei legende a fotbalul românesc: El a inventat tiki-taka|publisher=Antena3.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=The supreme tribute paid by the head of FIFA to a legend of Romanian football: He invented tiki-taka|date=23 June 2015 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>

==Honours==
===Manager===
'''Dinamo București'''
*[[Liga I|Divizia A]]: [[Divizia A 1955|1955]], [[Divizia A 1964–65|1964–65]]<ref name=RSC/>
*[[Cupa României]] runner-up: [[1954 Cupa României|1954]]<ref name=RSCR/>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Angelo Niculescu}}
* {{WorldFootball|angelo-niculescu}} 
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226230432/http://www.labtof.ro/profil/angelo-niculescu-1719/ |date=26 December 2022 |title=Angelo Niculescu player profile at Labtof.ro}} {{in lang|ro}}
* [http://www.labtof.ro/profil/angelo-niculescu-6734/ Angelo Niculescu manager profile at Labtof.ro]{{dead link|date=January 2024}}  {{in lang|ro}}
* {{EU-Football.info manager|431}}
* {{Soccerway coach|238354}}

{{Romania Squad 1970 World Cup}}
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{{Romania national football team managers}}
{{ASC Oțelul Galați managers}}
{{FC Dinamo București managers}}
{{FC Politehnica Timişoara managers}}
{{FC Sportul Studențesc București managers}}
{{FC Steaua București managers}}
{{FC Universitatea Cluj managers}}
{{FCM Bacău managers}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Niculescu, Angelo}}
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:Footballers from Craiova]]
[[Category:Romanian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Liga I players]]
[[Category:Liga II players]]
[[Category:FC Carmen București players]]
[[Category:Maccabi București players]]
[[Category:FC Dinamo București players]]
[[Category:Romanian football managers]]
[[Category:1970 FIFA World Cup managers]]
[[Category:FC Dinamo București managers]]
[[Category:FCSB managers]]
[[Category:Romania national football team managers]]
[[Category:FC Sportul Studențesc București managers]]
[[Category:FCM Bacău managers]]
[[Category:FC Universitatea Cluj managers]]
[[Category:ASC Oțelul Galați managers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Romanian military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Romanian sportswriters]]
[[Category:Romanian journalists]]
[[Category:Romanian writers]]
[[Category:Romanian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian male writers]]
[[Category:Burials at Ghencea Cemetery]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian sportsmen]]