View source for Constantin Cernăianu

{{short description|Romanian footballer and coach}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Constantin Cernăianu
| image = Constantin Cernaianu.jpg
| image_size = 180
| caption = Cernăianu as coach of Universitatea Craiova
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1933|10|12}}
| birth_place = [[Târgu Jiu]], Romania
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2015|6|22|1933|10|12}}
| death_place = 
| position = [[Midfielder]]<ref>{{Worldfootball.net|constantin-cernaianu}}</ref>
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = 
| years1 = 1949–1953
| clubs1 = Flacăra Târgu Jiu
| caps1 = 
| goals1 = 
| years2 = 1954–1955
| clubs2 = [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Știința București]]
| caps2 = 
| goals2 = 
| years3 = 1955–1960
| clubs3 = Pandurii Târgu Jiu
| caps3 = 
| goals3 = 
| nationalyears1 = 
| nationalteam1 = 
| nationalcaps1 = 
| nationalgoals1 = 
| manageryears1 = 1960–1964
| managerclubs1 = [[Petrolul Ploiești]] (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 1965–1967
| managerclubs2 = [[Petrolul Ploiești]]
| manageryears3 = 1968–1969
| managerclubs3 = [[Petrolul Ploiești]] (assistant)
| manageryears4 = 1969–1971
| managerclubs4 = [[Petrolul Ploiești]]
| manageryears5 = 1971–1976
| managerclubs5 = [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]]
| manageryears6 = 1976–1978
| managerclubs6 = [[Romania national football team|Romania]] (assistant)
| manageryears7 = 1979–1980
| managerclubs7 = [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
| manageryears8 = 1979–1981
| managerclubs8 = [[Romania national under-21 football team|Romania U20]]
| manageryears9 = 1980
| managerclubs9 = [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Sportul Studențesc București]]
| manageryears10 = 1981–1983
| managerclubs10 = [[FCSB|Steaua București]]
| manageryears11 = 1983–1985
| managerclubs11 = [[Olympiakos Nicosia]]
| manageryears12 = 1985
| managerclubs12 = [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]]
| manageryears13 = 1986–1987
| managerclubs13 = [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]]
| manageryears14 = 1987–1988
| managerclubs14 = [[ACF Gloria Bistrița|Gloria Bistrița]]
| manageryears15 = 1988–1992
| managerclubs15 = [[Olympiakos Nicosia]]
}}

'''Constantin Cernăianu''' (12 October 1933 – 22 June 2015) was a Romanian [[association football|football]] player and [[coach (sport)|coach]].<ref name=FRF>{{cite web|publisher=frf.ro|title=S-a stins din viață fostul antrenor al naționalei României, Constantin Cernăianu|trans-title=Constantin Cernăianu, te former coach of romaniațs national team has passed away|url=http://frf.ro/comunicate-frf/s-a-stins-din-via%C8%9B%C4%83-fostul-antrenor-al-na%C5%A3ionalei-rom%C3%A2niei-constantin-cern%C4%83ianu-6798.html|date=22 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000459/http://www.frf.ro/comunicate-frf/s-a-stins-din-via%C8%9B%C4%83-fostul-antrenor-al-na%C5%A3ionalei-rom%C3%A2niei-constantin-cern%C4%83ianu-6798.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> As a head coach, Cernăianu secured two league titles with clubs outside Bucharest, [[FC Petrolul Ploiești|Petrolul Ploiești]] and [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]].

==Playing career==
Constantin Cernăianu was born on 12 October 1933 in [[Târgu Jiu]], Romania, starting to play football in 1949 at local club, Flacăra.<ref name=DIGI>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/a-murit-antrenorul-constantin-cernaianu-cel-care-a-cucerit-ultimul-titlu-al-petrolului-si-primul-pentru-craiova-174959 | title=A murit antrenorul Constantin Cernăianu, cel care a cucerit ultimul titlu al Petrolului și primul pentru Craiova| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Coach Constantin Cernăianu, who won the last title for Petrol and the first for Craiova, died | date=22 June 2015 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref><ref name=GSP>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/international/europa-league/interviu-cu-singurul-tehnician-roman-care-a-invins-liverpool-constantin-cernaianu-pasati-cu-curaj-206959.html | title=Interviu cu singurul tehnician român care a învins Liverpool. Constantin Cernăianu: "Pasați! Cu tupeu!"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Interview with the only Romanian technician who beat Liverpool. Constantin Cernăianu: "Pass! With guts!" | date=16 September 2010 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref><ref name=adevarul>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/povestea-unui-colos-cernaianu-omul-care-a-facut-1632263.html | title=Povestea unui colos: Cernăianu, omul care a făcut din Craiova "campioana unei mari iubiri" și ne-a adus bronzul mondial| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The story of a colossus: Cernăianu, the man who made Craiova "the champion of a great love" and brought us the world bronze | date=22 June 2015 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref> In 1954 he went for one year at [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Știința București]], then he returned to Târgu Jiu at Pandurii where he played until 1960 when he retired.<ref name=DIGI/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=adevarul/>

==Managerial career==
[[File:Petrolul Ploiești 1965.jpg|thumb|left|260px|{{center|Cernăianu (back row, first from the left) as head coach of Petrolul in 1965}}]]
Cernăianu became a football coach shortly after he retired from playing in 1960, becoming [[Ilie Oană]]'s assistant at [[FC Petrolul Ploiești|Petrolul Ploiești]] winning together the [[1962–63 Cupa României]].<ref name=adevarul/><ref name=doarpetrolul>{{cite web | url=https://doarpetrolul.ro/ilie-oana-qfotbalul-a-dat-un-rost-adevarat-vietii-meleq/5/ | title= Ilie Oana: "Fotbalul a dat un rost adevarat vietii mele"| publisher=Doarpetrolul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Ilie Oana: "Football gave a real purpose to my life" | date=23 February 2008 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref> Cernăianu became the team's head coach in 1965, helping it win the [[1965–66 Divizia A]] championship, thus at age 32 becoming one of the youngest coaches who ever won the title.<ref name=FRF/><ref name=DIGI/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=libertatea>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/inca-o-drama-fotbalul-romanesc-un-alt-antrenor-urias-murit-avut-rezultate-fabuloase-fost-constient-pana-ultima-clipa-dar-n-vrut-sa-l-mai-vada-nimeni-asa-avea-doar-40-de-kilograme-1361936 | title=Constantin Cernăianu a murit. "A fost conștient până în ultima clipă, dar n-a vrut să-l mai vadă nimeni așa!"| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Constantin Cernăianu died. "He was conscious until the last moment, but he didn't want anyone to see him like that again!" | date=23 June 2015 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref><ref name=GDS>{{cite web | url=https://www.gds.ro/Sport/2015-06-22/fotbal-oltenia-plange-constantin-cernaianu-trecut-nefiinta/ | title=Fotbal – Oltenia plânge: Constantin Cernăianu a trecut în neființă| publisher=Gds.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Football - Oltenia is crying: Constantin Cernăianu passed away | date=22 June 2015 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref><ref name=RSC>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/menu_items/champions.shtml|title=Romania National Champions |publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref><ref name=coaches>{{cite web | url=http://coaches-ahead.ro/profesorul-constantin-cernaianu | title=Profesorul Constantin Cernaianu| publisher=Coaches-ahead.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The professor Constantin Cernaianu| date=22 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604235528/http://coaches-ahead.ro/profesorul-constantin-cernaianu| access-date=18 September 2024| archive-date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://doarpetrolul.ro/constantin-cernaianu-iubit-si-controversat/ | title=Constantin Cernaianu – iubit si controversat| publisher=Doarpetrolul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Constantin Cernaianu – loved and controversial | date=24 May 2010 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref> In the middle of that season he went for a month to study the training sessions of [[Helenio Herrera]]'s [[Inter Milan]].<ref name=GSP/><ref name=coaches/> He then participated with ''[[Petrolul Ploiești|The Yellow Wolves]]'' in the first round of the [[1966–67 European Cup]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], earning a 3–1 victory which however was not enough to qualify to the next round.<ref name=FRF/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/special/a-murit-constantin-cernaianu-singurul-antrenor-roman-care-a-invins-fc-liverpool-14485704 | title=A murit Constantin Cernăianu, singurul antrenor român care a învins FC Liverpool| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Constantin Cernăianu, the only Romanian coach who defeated FC Liverpool, died| date=22 June 2015 | access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/video-petrolul-66-53-de-ani-de-la-victoria-cu-liverpool-supravietuitorii-succesului-de-pe-anfield-sarbatoriti-la-ploisti-2771131 | title=Petrolul 66, 53 de ani de la victoria cu Liverpool. Supraviețuitorii succesului, sărbătoriți la Ploiești| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Petrolul 66, 53 years since the victory with Liverpool. The survivors of success, celebrated in Ploiesti | date=13 October 2019 | access-date=19 October 2022}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://wesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-55-de-ani-de-istorica-victorie-a-petrolului-cu-liverpool-14833 | title=55 de ani de la istorica victorie a Petrolului cu Liverpooli| publisher=Wesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=55 years since the historic victory of Petrolul with Liverpool | date=12 October 2021 | access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref> In 1968, Ilie Oană came back to Petrolul, Cernăianu being his assistant again until 1969 when Oană left the club to go coach [[Panserraikos F.C.|Panserraikos]] in Greece.<ref name=doarpetrolul/> From 1969 until 1971 Cernăianu was the team's head coach but then Oană came back again and Cernăianu did not accept to be his assistant anymore, leaving the club.<ref name=doarpetrolul/>
[[File:Universitatea Craiova 1973-1974.png|thumb|left|260px|{{center|Cernăianu (back row, first from the left) as head coach of U Craiova in 1973}}]]
He went to be head coach at [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]], being close to win the title in the [[1972–73 Divizia A|1972–73]] season but "U" finished on the second place on equal points with [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]], losing controversially on the goal difference for which poet [[Adrian Păunescu]] nicknamed Craiova as "Campioana unei mari iubiri" (The Champion of a great love).<ref name=adevarul/><ref name=GSP2>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/diverse/craiova-campioana-unei-mari-iubiri-o-idee-care-a-intrat-in-legenda-214407.html | title=Craiova, campioana unei mari iubiri. O idee care a intrat în legendă| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Craiova, the champion of a great love. An idea that has become legendary| date=6 November 2010 | access-date=9 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/special/campioana-unei-mari-iubiri-prima-echipa-de-legenda-a-universitatii-craiova-s-a-nascut-in-anii-70-8787773 | title=Campioana unei mari iubiri! Prima echipă de legendă a Universității Craiova s-a "născut" în anii 70!| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The champion of a great love! The first legendary team of the University of Craiova was "born" in the 70s!| date=22 September 2011 | access-date=9 September 2024}}</ref> In the first round of the [[1973–74 UEFA Cup]] season, "U" Craiova got past [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] with a 1–0 aggregate win, being eliminated in the following one by [[Standard Liège]].<ref name=GDS/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://welovesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-razboiul-olteano-florentin-primul-episod-28511|title=Războiul olteano-florentin, primul episod| language = Romanian |trans-title=The Olteano-Florentine War, the first episode| publisher=Welovesport.ro | date=3 October 2023| access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref> In the [[1973–74 Divizia A|same season]] he helped Craiova win the league title, which was the first trophy in the club's history.<ref name=FRF/><ref name=DIGI/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=RSC/> The following season, "U" suffered a 4–3 aggregate loss in front of [[Åtvidabergs FF|Åtvidaberg]] in the first round of the [[1974–75 European Cup|European Cup]], also the team reached the [[1975 Cupa României final]] which was eventually lost after a 2–1 defeat with [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]].<ref name=RSCR>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1974_1975.shtml|title=Romanian Cup - Season 1974 - 1975|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=RomanianSoccer|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/europeancups/1974_75/craiova_atvidabergs_01.shtml|title=Universitatea Craiova - Åtvidaberg|access-date=18 September 2024}}<br>{{cite web|publisher=RomanianSoccer|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/europeancups/1974_75/craiova_atvidabergs_02.shtml|title=Åtvidaberg - Universitatea Craiova|access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref> Cernăianu is the coach that in 1973 gave 16-year-old [[Ilie Balaci]] his debut in professional football.<ref name=GSP/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://cronicavj.ro/wp/special-povestea-lui-ilie-balaci-a-inceput-la-petrosani/ | title=Povestea lui Ilie Balaci a inceput la Petrosani| publisher=Cronicavj.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Ilie Balaci's story began in Petrosani| date=11 September 2016 | access-date=28 June 2022}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://welovesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-o-jumatate-de-veac-de-la-debutul-lui-balaci-in-prima-liga-27809 | title=O jumătate de veac de la debutul lui Balaci în prima ligă| publisher=Welovesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Half a century since Balaci's debut in the first league| date=12 August 2023 | access-date=13 August 2023}}</ref>

In the same period he coached in parallel Romania's students football team, winning two [[Universiade]] gold medals in the 1972 edition that was held in [[Romania]] and the 1974 one from [[France]].<ref name=FRF/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=prosport2>{{cite web|url=http://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/special/au-fost-odata-campioni-mondiali-4664870|title=Au fost odată campioni mondiali|publisher=Prosport.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Once they were world champions|date= 20 July 2009 |access-date= 15 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Garin, Erik|title=World University Championships (Outdoor) 1972|publisher=[[RSSSF]]|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fisu72.html|date=5 October 2000}}<br>{{cite web|author=Garin, Erik|title=World University Championships (Outdoor) 1974|publisher=[[RSSSF]]|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fisu74.html|date=15 June 2002}}</ref>

From 1976 until 1978 he was [[Ștefan Kovács]]'s assistant at [[Romania national football team|Romania's national team]], failing to qualify to the [[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978 World Cup]].<ref name=FRF/><ref name=DIGI/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=prosport/> In 1979 he became head coach of ''The Tricolours'', his first game being a friendly which was lost 3–1 with [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]].<ref name=FRF/><ref name=EU>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_manager.php?id=1074|title=Constantin Cernăianu manager profile|publisher=European Football|access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Siminiceanu, Radu|title=Romania National Team 1980–1989 - Details|publisher=[[RSSSF]]|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesr/roem-intres80.html|date=6 April 2003}}</ref> His following two games were a loss with [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] and a victory over [[Cyprus national football team|Cyprus]] at the [[UEFA Euro 1980 qualifying Group 3|Euro 1980 qualifiers]].<ref name=EU/> He also led the national team in another loss with Yugoslavia at the final of the [[1977–80 Balkan Cup]], his last game taking place on 2 April 1980 in a 2–2 with [[East Germany national football team|East Germany]], having a total of six games consisting of one victory, one draw and four losses.<ref name=EU/> He also worked for [[Romania national under-20 football team|Romania's under-20]] squad, guiding it at the [[1981 FIFA World Youth Championship|1981 World Youth Championship]] from [[Australia]], helping the team finish the tournament in the third position, winning the bronze medal.<ref name=FRF/><ref name=DIGI/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=libertatea/>

Afterwards, Cernăianu went to coach several [[Bucharest]] clubs like [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Sportul Studențesc]], [[FCSB|Steaua]], [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo]] and [[FC Rapid București|Rapid]], also he had his first spell abroad, coaching [[Olympiakos Nicosia]] which he helped earn promotion to the [[Cypriot First Division|first league]].<ref name=FRF/><ref name=DIGI/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=prosport/><ref name=coaches/> Since 1987, he went to coach [[ACF Gloria Bistrița|Gloria Bistrița]] for one year, than he made a comeback at Olympiakos Nicosia, working there for four years until 1992, managing to reach the [[1990–91 Cypriot Cup]] final which was lost with 1–0 in front of [[AC Omonia|Omonia Nicosia]].<ref name=DIGI/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=cyprus>{{cite web|title=Cyprus 1990/91|publisher=[[RSSSF]]|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cyp91.html|date=18 September 2024}}</ref>

Cernăianu has a total of 390 matches as a manager in the Romanian top-division, [[Liga I|Divizia A]] consisting of 168 victories, 93 draws and 129 losses.<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=18 September 2024}}</ref>

==Works==
In 1997, he wrote a book about football coaching called {{lang|ro|Manualul antrenorului profesionist}} ''(The Professional Coach's Handbook)''.<ref name=coaches/>

==Death==
Cernăianu died on 22 June 2015 at the age of 81.<ref name=FRF/><ref name=DIGI/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=libertatea/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=prosport/>

==Honours==
===Manager===
'''Petrolul Ploiești'''
*[[Liga I|Divizia A]]: [[1965–66 Divizia A|1965–66]]<ref name=RSC/>
'''Universitatea Craiova'''
*[[Liga I|Divizia A]]: [[1973–74 Divizia A|1973–74]], runner-up [[1972–73 Divizia A|1972–73]]<ref name=RSC/><ref name=GSP2/>
*[[Cupa României]] runner-up: [[1974–75 Cupa României|1974–75]]<ref name=RSCR/>
'''Olympiakos Nicosia'''
*[[Cypriot Second Division]]: [[1983–84 Cypriot Second Division|1983–84]]<ref name=adevarul/>
*[[Cypriot Cup]] runner-up: [[1990–91 Cypriot Cup|1990–91]]<ref name=cyprus/>
'''Romania University'''
*[[Universiade|World University Championships]]: 1972, 1974<ref name=prosport2/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20220927181205/http://www.labtof.ro/profil/constantin-cernaianu-6798/ Constantin Cernaianu] at Labtof.ro

{{Navboxes
|title= Constantin Cernăianu managerial positions
|list1=
{{Romania national football team managers}}
{{CSU Craiova managers}}
{{FC Dinamo București managers}}
{{FC Petrolul Ploiești managers}}
{{FC Rapid București managers}}
{{FC Sportul Studențesc București managers}}
{{FC Steaua București managers}}
{{Olympiakos Nicosia managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cernaianu, Constantin}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:Footballers from Târgu Jiu]]
[[Category:Romanian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:FC Sportul Studențesc București players]]
[[Category:Romanian football managers]]
[[Category:FC Petrolul Ploiești managers]]
[[Category:CS Universitatea Craiova managers]]
[[Category:FCSB managers]]
[[Category:FC Dinamo București managers]]
[[Category:Olympiakos Nicosia managers]]
[[Category:FC Rapid București managers]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Romania national football team managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Romanian writers]]
[[Category:Romanian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian sportsmen]]