View source for Victor Pițurcă

{{Short description|Romanian footballer and manager}}
{{Excessive citations|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Victor Pițurcă
|image = Generația de Aur vs Barcelona Legends (0-2) 2018 Sports Festival - meciul amintirilor. (52810598464) (cropped).jpg
|upright = 0.9
|caption = Pițurcă in June 2018.
|fullname = <!-- if different -->
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|5|8|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Orodel]], Romania
|height = 1.85 m
|currentclub = 
|position = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
|youthclubs1 = [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]]
|youthyears1 = 1964–1974
|years1 = 1974–1977
|years2 = 1974–1975
|years3 = 1977–1979
|years4 = 1979–1983
|years5 = 1983–1989
|years6 = 1989–1990
|clubs1 = [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]]
|clubs2 = → Dinamo Slatina (loan)
|clubs3 = [[CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu|Pandurii Târgu Jiu]]
|clubs4 = [[FC Olt Scornicești|Olt Scornicești]]
|clubs5 = [[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|clubs6 = [[RC Lens|Lens]]
|caps1  = 8
|caps2  = 
|caps3  = 
|caps4  = 118
|caps5  = 175
|caps6  = 28
|goals1 = 0
|goals2 = 
|goals3 = 
|goals4 = 28
|goals5 = 137
|goals6 = 4
|totalcaps      = 329
|totalgoals     = 169
|nationalyears1 = 1985–1987
|nationalteam1  = [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|nationalcaps1  = 13
|nationalgoals1 = 6
|manageryears1 = 1991–1992
|manageryears2 = 1992
|manageryears3 = 1994–1995
|manageryears4 = 1996–1998
|manageryears5 = 1998–1999
|manageryears6 = 2000–2002
|manageryears7 = 2002–2004
|manageryears8 = 2004–2009
|manageryears9 = 2010
|manageryears10 = 2010
|manageryears11 = 2011–2014
|manageryears12 = 2014–2015
|manageryears13 = 2015–2016
|manageryears14 = 2019–2020
|managerclubs1 = [[FCSB|Steaua București]] (assistant)
|managerclubs2 = [[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|managerclubs3 = [[FC U Craiova 1948|FC Universitatea Craiova]]
|managerclubs4 = [[Romania national under-21 football team|Romania U21]]
|managerclubs5 = [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|managerclubs6 = [[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|managerclubs7 = [[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|managerclubs8 = [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|managerclubs9 = [[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|managerclubs10 = [[FC U Craiova 1948|FC Universitatea Craiova]]
|managerclubs11 = [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|managerclubs12 = [[Ittihad FC|Al-Ittihad]]
|managerclubs13 = [[Ittihad FC|Al-Ittihad]]
|managerclubs14 = [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]]

}}
'''Victor Pițurcă''' ({{IPA|ro|ˈviktor piˈt͡surkə}}; born 8 May 1956) is a Romanian professional [[Association football|football]] [[Manager (association football)|manager]] and former player.

==Club career==
Victor Pițurcă was born on 8 May 1956 in [[Orodel]], [[Dolj County]], Romania, starting to play football in 1964 at the youth center of [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]], being loaned in 1974 for one year to Dinamo Slatina in [[Liga II|Divizia B]], where he started his senior career.<ref name=RS>{{RomanianSoccer|1595/victor-piturca}}</ref><ref name=fanatik>{{cite web | url=https://www.fanatik.ro/piturca-62-de-ani-intre-inger-la-steaua-si-satana-la-general-video-18351057 | title=Pițurcă: 62 de ani între înger, la Steaua, și Satana, la… general! Video| publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Pițurcă: 62 years between the angel, at Steaua, and Satan, in... general! Video| date=8 May 2018 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=fanatik2>{{cite web | url=https://www.fanatik.ro/tags/victor-piturca | title=Victor Pițurcă | publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=Romanian | date=| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=agerpres>{{cite web | url=https://www.agerpres.ro/documentare/2021/05/08/o-personalitate-pe-zi-victor-piturca-fost-fotbalist-si-antrenor-al-echipei-nationale-a-romaniei--709084 | title=O PERSONALITATE PE ZI: Victor Pițurcă, fost fotbalist şi antrenor al echipei naţionale a României | publisher=Agerpres.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=A PERSONALITY PER DAY: Victor Pițurcă, former footballer and coach of the Romanian national team| date=8 May 2021 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=GDS>{{cite web | url=https://www.gds.ro/Sport/2010-05-08/Victor-Piturca-la-Craiova/?amp | title=Victor Pițurcă, la Craiova | publisher=Gds.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă, at Craiova| date=8 May 2010 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> When he returned to "U" Craiova, coach [[Constantin Cernăianu]] gave him [[Liga I|Divizia A]] debut on 19 November 1975 in a 4–0 home win over [[FC Argeș Pitești|Argeș Pitești]].<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/> However, during his two seasons spent at Craiova, he played rarely, so he went to play again in Divizia B, this time at [[CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu|Pandurii Târgu Jiu]] under coach [[Constantin Oțet]] for whom in his first season from the total of 37 goals scored by the team, Pițurcă scored over half but the team relegated to [[Liga III|Divizia C]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=adevarul>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/stiri-locale/craiova/victor-piturca-luat-de-la-pandurii-pe-o-plasa-de-1209434.html| title=Victor Pițurcă, luat de la Pandurii pe o plasă de bani | publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă, taken from Pandurii for a net of a money | date=10 September 2010 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=gorj>{{cite web | url=https://www.gorjonline.ro/legatura-stransa-pe-care-victor-piturca-o-are-cu-municipiul-targu-jiu/| title=Legătura strânsă pe care Victor Pițurcă o are cu municipiul Târgu Jiu| publisher=Gorjonline.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The close connection that Victor Pițurcă has with the municipality of Târgu Jiu | date=30 January 2023| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> In the [[1978–79 Divizia C]] season, Pițurcă scored 46 goals of the team's total of 98, helping it promote back to Divizia B after one year.<ref name=GDS/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=gorj/> In 1979 he went back to Divizia A football, when he went to play for [[FC Olt Scornicești|Olt Scornicești]], making regular appearances during his four-years spell.<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=adevarul/><ref name=gorj/>

In July 1983 he was wanted by [[FCSB|Steaua București]] where Constantin Cernăianu was coaching, but his coach from Scornicești, [[Florin Halagian]] tried to keep him there, eventually at the insistence of [[Emerich Jenei]] the transfer to Steaua was fulfilled.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/victor-piturca-se-implica-intr-o-dilema-istorica-650293.html | title=Victor Pițurcă se implică într-o dilemă istorică:"Ienei a făcut Steaua '86!" + mesaj clar pentru Becali:"Ține 4-5 ani jucătorii" | publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă gets involved in a historical dilemma: "Ienei made Steaua '86!" + clear message for Becali: "Players last 4-5 years"| date=25 December 2021| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> In his [[1983–84 Divizia A|first season]], he did not win any trophies, but afterwards he helped the team conquer five league titles in a row, starting with [[Double (association football)|The Double]] from the [[1984–85 Divizia A|1984–85]] season when Pițurcă was the second top-goalscorer of the league, having only one goal behind [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Sportul Studențesc]]'s [[Gheorghe Hagi]], as he scored 19 goals scored in the 32 matches coaches Halagian and Jenei used him, also scoring the decisive goal of the 2–1 victory from the [[1985 Cupa României final|Cupa României final]] over his former team, Universitatea Craiova.<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GSP>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/craiova-viitorul-victor-piturca-doi-ani-in-spatele-lui-gica-hagi-cum-au-aratat-duelurile-pentru-titul-de-golgeter-dintre-cei-doi-578755.html| title=CRAIOVA - VIITORUL. Victor Pițurcă, doi ani în spatele lui Gică Hagi! Cum au arătat duelurile pentru titul de golgeter dintre cei doi| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=CRAIOVA - THE FUTURE. Victor Pițurcă, two years behind Gică Hagi! How the duels for the top scorer title between the two looked| date=30 September 2019 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=top>{{cite web | url=https://www.ultimafaza.ro/top-3-golgheterii-campionatului-romaniei-din-anii-80/| title=TOP 3 – Golgheterii campionatului Romaniei din Anii '80| publisher=Ultimafaza.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=TOP 3 – Top scorers of the Romanian championship in the 80s| date= 10 February 2021| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=RS2>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/menu_items/champions.shtml|title=Romania National Champions |publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=RS3>{{cite web |url=http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/menu_items/topscorers.shtml |title=Top Scorers |publisher=romaniansoccer.ro |access-date=13 May 2021 |language=Romanian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1984_1985.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1984–1985|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> In the [[1985–86 Divizia A|following season]], he was again the league's second top-goalscorer, this time with two goals behind Hagi, having scored 29 in the 34 appearances given to him by Jenei who also used him in all the nine games from the historical [[European Cup 1985–86|European Cup]] campaign in which Pițurcă was the team's top-goalscorer, netting five times in all the home matches, one against each of [[Vejle Boldklub|Vejle]], [[Budapest Honvéd FC|Budapest Honvéd]] and [[FC Kuusysi|Kuusysi Lahti]] and a brace in the 3–0 win from the semifinals with [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]], then playing as a starter until the 111th minute of [[Overtime (sports)|extra time]] when he was replaced with [[Marin Radu]] in the eventual 2–0 victory after the penalty shoot-out from the [[1986 European Cup final|final]] against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]].<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=top/><ref name=RS2/><ref name=RS3/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tikitaka.ro/steaua-86-drumul-spre-sevilla/| title=Steaua 86: Drumul spre Sevilla| date=16 April 2020| publisher=Tikitaka.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Steaua 86: The road to Seville | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> He started the [[1986–87 Divizia A|1986–87]] season by playing all the minutes in the 1–0 win over [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]] from the [[1986 European Super Cup|European Super Cup]] and in the loss from the [[1986 Intercontinental Cup|Intercontinental Cup]] with the same score in front of [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]], by the end of it helping Steaua win another Double, coaches Jenei and [[Anghel Iordănescu]] giving him 31 league appearances in which he scored 22 goals, being surpassed only by [[FC Dinamo Bucureşti|Dinamo București]]'s controversial [[European Golden Shoe]] winner, [[Rodion Cămătaru]] who scored double, also appearing the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 victory from the [[1987 Cupa României final|Cupa României final]] over Dinamo.<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=top/><ref name=RS2/><ref name=RS3/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/rivalitatea-steaua-dinamo-a-scindat-nationala-piturca-nu-mai-joc-cu-camataru-175682.html| title=Rivalitatea Steaua - Dinamo a scindat naționala. Pițurcă: "Nu mai joc cu Cămătaru"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The rivalry between Steaua and Dinamo split the national team. Pițurcă: "I don't play with Cămătaru anymore"| date=9 February 2010 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/35-de-ani-de-la-supercupa-europei-steaua-655791.html| title=35 de ani de la Supercupa Europei cucerită de Steaua în fața lui Dinamo Kiev. Legendele steliste, cu gândul la situația din Ucraina:"E dureros!"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=35 years since the European Supercup won by Steaua against Dinamo Kyiv. Star legends, thinking about the situation in Ukraine:"It's painful!"| date=24 February 2022 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/superreportaje/trofeu-refuzat-cum-a-pierdut-steaua-finala-cupei-intercontinentale-din-decembrie-86-245509.html| title=Trofeu refuzat! Cum a pierdut Steaua finala Cupei Intercontinentale din decembrie '86| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Trophy refused! How Steaua lost the final of the Intercontinental Cup in December '86| date=28 June 2011 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.fanatik.ro/33-de-ani-de-la-river-plate-steaua-1-0-mafia-pariurilor-a-incercat-sa-trucheze-finala-cupei-intercontinentale-din-1986-belodedici-a-ratat-o-masina-toyota-video-19128772| title=33 de ani de la River Plate – Steaua 1-0! Mafia pariurilor a încercat să trucheze finala Cupei Intercontinentale din 1986 + Belodedici a ratat o maşină Toyota! Video| publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=33 years since River Plate – Steaua 1-0! The betting mafia tried to rig the final of the 1986 Intercontinental Cup + Belodedici missed a Toyota car! Video| date=14 December 2019 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1986_1987.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1986–1987|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> In the [[1987–88 Divizia A|next season]], Pițurcă was used by Iordănescu in 33 league games in which he scored 34 goals, being the top-goalscorer of the championship and [[European Golden Shoe|European Bronze Boot]] as only [[Tanju Çolak]] (39) and [[John Eriksen]] (36) scored more and he made another continental performance with the team as they reached the semi-finals of the [[European Cup 1987–88|European Cup]] where they lost in favor of [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], Pițurcă contributing with one goal scored against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] in the 8 matches played.<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=top/><ref name=RS2/><ref name=RS3/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tikitaka.ro/meciuri-memorabile-steaua-benfica-1988/| title=Meciuri memorabile: Steaua – Benfica, semifinalele Cupei Campionilor, 1987/88| date=18 July 2017| publisher=Tikitaka.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Memorable matches: Steaua - Benfica, semi-finals of the Champions Cup, 1987/88 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/meciul-de-aur-al-generatiei-de-la-sevilla-cum-a-ratat-steaua-finala-suprema-cu-real-madrid-gica-popescu.html| title=Meciul DE AUR al generatiei de la Sevilla! Cum a ratat Steaua finala SUPREMA cu Real Madrid. Gica Popescu a ucis visul| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The GOLDEN match of the generation from Sevilla! How Steaua missed the SUPREMA final with Real Madrid. Gica Popescu killed the dream| date=6 April 2011| access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/victor-piturca/champions-league-1987-1988/fcsb/3/|title=Victor Pițurcă. Champions League 1987/1988|date=16 October 2014 |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> In his [[1988–89 Divizia A|last season]] spent with ''[[FCSB|The Military Men]]'', the team won another Double, Iordănescu using him in 22 league matches, managing to score 23 goals, also appearing the whole game in another 1–0 victory in the [[1989 Cupa României final|Cupa României final]] over [[Eternal derby (Romania)|rivals]] Dinamo and made another European performance by playing 7 games in the [[European Cup 1988–89|European Cup]] campaign, including all the minutes from the 4–0 loss in front of [[AC Milan]] from the [[1989 European Cup final|final]], scoring one goal in the semi-finals against [[Galatasaray S.K. (football team)|Galatasaray]] when goalkeeper [[Zoran Simović]] kicked the ball in the back of his head and it went in the goalpost but the referee wrongfully cancelled the goal.<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=RS2/><ref name=RS3/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/piturca-m-am-trezit-cu-mingea-in-ceafa-2918906| title=Pițurcă:"M-am trezit cu mingea în ceafă!"| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Pițurcă: "I woke up with the ball in the back of my head!"| date=12 August 2008 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/video-gol-cu-ceafa-marcat-de-victor-piturca-in-1471498.html| title=Gol cu ceafa marcat de Victor Pițurcă în meciul Galatasaray - Steaua| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Goal with the back of the head scored by Victor Pițurcă in the match Galatasaray - Steaua| date=9 September 2013 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1988_1989.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1988–1989|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> His last Divizia A game took place on 17 June 1989 in Steaua's 4–1 home win over [[CSM Flacăra Moreni|Flacăra Moreni]] with him scoring a goal, having a total of 301 appearances with 65 goals in the competition and a total of 29 matches and 6 goals in European competitions.<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/>

After he won the European Cup in 1986, Pițurcă had an offer to play for [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] but was not allowed to go there by the [[Socialist Republic of Romania|communist regime]], however in 1989 with the help of [[Valentin Ceaușescu]], he and teammate [[Tudorel Stoica]] were allowed to transfer at [[RC Lens|Lens]] in [[Ligue 2|French Division 2]] where after one season, Pițurcă ended his playing career.<ref name=RS/><ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/victor-piturca-a-dezvaluit-ce-mare-echipa-l-a-ofertat-dupa-ce-a-castigat-cce-cu-steaua-aveau-echipa-incredibila-1612321| title=Victor Pițurcă a dezvăluit ce mare echipă l-a ofertat după ce a câștigat CCE cu Steaua. "Aveau echipă incredibilă!"| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă revealed what great team offered him after winning the CCE with Steaua. "They had an incredible team!"| date=5 April 2022 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/cele-trei-transferuri-pe-care-steaua-le-a-facut-cu-ajutorul-lui-valentin-ceausescu-el-le-a-aprobat-cum-a-ratat-victor-piturca-plecarea-la-anderlecht-pe-bani-foarte-multi-19436816| title=Cele trei transferuri pe care Steaua le-a făcut cu ajutorul lui Valentin Ceaușescu: "El le-a aprobat!". Cum a ratat Victor Pițurcă plecarea la Anderlecht pe bani foarte mulți| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The three transfers that Steaua made with the help of Valentin Ceaușescu: "He approved them!". How Victor Pițurcă missed going to Anderlecht for a lot of money| date=5 April 2022 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

On 25 March 2008, he was decorated by the president of [[Romania]], [[Traian Băsescu]] for the winning of the [[European Cup 1985–86|1985–86 European Cup]] with Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" — (The Order "The Sportive Merit") class II.<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=21 November 2023}}</ref>

==International career==
Victor Pițurcă played 13 games and scored 6 goals at international level for [[Romania national football team|Romania]], making his debut on 27 March 1985 under coach [[Mircea Lucescu]] in a friendly which ended 0–0 with [[Poland national football team|Poland]].<ref name=EU>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=16734|title=Victor Pițurcă player profile|publisher=European Football|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=8489|title=Romania 0-0 Poland|publisher=European Football|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> After making two appearances at the [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3|1986 World Cup qualifiers]], he scored his first two goals for the national team in a 3–1 win over [[Norway national football team|Norway]] in a friendly game.<ref name=EU/> He scored another brace in a 4–2 friendly victory with [[Israel national football team|Israel]] and made five appearances at the [[UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying Group 1|Euro 1988 qualifiers]] where he scored two goals in two victories with [[Albania national football team|Albania]] and [[Spain national football team|Spain]], also making his last appearance for Romania on 18 November 1987 in a 0–0 with [[Austria national football team|Austria]].<ref name=EU/>

===International stats===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name=EU></ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|1985||3||0
|-
|1986||4||4
|-
|1987||6||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!13!!6
|}

:''Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first. "Score" column indicates the score after each Victor Pițurcă goal.''<ref name=EU/>
<!---Repeat entries indicate more than one goal in a single game--->
{| class="wikitable"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1 || rowspan="2"| 4 June 1986 || rowspan="2"| [[Stadionul Național (1953)|Stadionul 23 August]], [[Bucharest]], Romania || rowspan="2"| {{Fb|Norway}}|| '''1'''–0 || rowspan="2" | 3–1 || rowspan="2" | [[Friendly match|Friendly]]
|-
| 2 || '''2'''–0 
|-
| 3 || rowspan="2"|  8 October 1986 || rowspan="2"| [[Ramat Gan Stadium]], [[Israel]] || rowspan="2"| {{Fb|Israel}}|| '''1'''–0 || rowspan="2" | 4–2 || rowspan="2" | Friendly
|-
| 4 || '''4'''–1 
|-
| 5 || 25 March 1987 || [[Stadionul Steaua (1974)|Stadionul Steaua]], Bucharest, Romania || {{Fb|Albania|1946}} || '''1'''–0 || 5–1 || [[UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying#Group 1|Euro 1988 qualifiers]]
|-
| 6 || 29 April 1987 || Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania || {{Fb|Spain}} || '''1'''–0 || 3–1 || Euro 1988 qualifiers
|}

==Managerial career==
Victor Pițurcă's first coaching experience was working as an assistant of [[Emerich Jenei]] at [[FCSB|Steaua București]], shortly afterwards becoming the team's head coach in March 1992, winning on his debut with 3–0 in front of [[FCSB – FC Rapid București rivalry|rivals]] [[Rapid București]], finishing the [[1991–92 Divizia A|season]] on the second place and winning the [[1991–92 Cupa României|Cupa României]] after the victory at the penalty shoot-out in the [[1992 Cupa României final|final]] against [[FC Politehnica Timișoara|Politehnica Timișoara]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=sport>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/piturca-nu-a-pierdut-niciun-meci-de-debut-cum-pregateste-meciul-cu-u-cluj.html| title=Piturca nu a pierdut niciodata la debut! Cum pregateste meciul cu U Cluj| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Piturca never lost on debut! How he prepares the match with U Cluj| date=20 July 2010 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> His following coaching spell began in 1994 at [[FC Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]] with whom he finished second in the championship at the end of the [[1994–95 Divizia A|1994–95]] season.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax>{{cite web | url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/victor-piturca-revine-la-nationala-dupa-doua-esecuri-ca-antrenor-al-unor-echipe-de-club-8341804| title=Victor Pițurcă revine la națională după două eșecuri ca antrenor al unor echipe de club| publisher=Mediafax.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă returns to the national team after two failures as a coach of some club teams| date=14 June 2011| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1991_1992.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1991–1992|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

In 1996, he was named coach of [[Romania national under-21 football team|Romania's under-21]] side, leading the team to its first qualification to a European Championship in 1998, which ended up being hosted by Romania.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=sport2>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/nationala/cum-a-aratat-romania-u21-la-euro-1998-cine-a-castigat-competitia-si-cine-au-fost-vedetele-acelui-turneu.html| title=Cum a aratat Romania U21 la Euro 1998! Cine a castigat competitia si cine au fost vedetele acelui turneu final| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=How Romania U21 showed at Euro 1998! Who won the competition and who were the stars of that final tournament| date=5 October 2018 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=sport3>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/nationala/tragere-la-sorti-euro-u21-duelul-capitanilor-u21-lutu-1998-vs-ionut-radu-2018-lutu-nu-ne-tinea-discursuri.html| title=TRAGERE LA SORTI EURO U21. Duelul capitanilor U21: Lutu 1998 vs. Ionut Radu 2018. "Lutu nu ne tinea discursuri mobilizatoare in vestiar"| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=EURO U21 DRAW. U21 captains duel: Lutu 1998 vs. Ionut Radu 2018. "Lutu didn't give us mobilizing speeches in the locker room"| date=23 November 2018 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=GSP2>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/mai-tii-minte-cum-arata-si-ce-a-facut-nationala-romaniei-u21-la-singura-calificare-la-european-8-fotbalisti-din-lotul-actual-nici-nu-erau-nascuti-548064.html| title=Mai ții minte? Cum arăta și ce a făcut naționala României U21 la singura calificare la European. 8 fotbaliști din lotul actual nici nu erau născuți!| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Do you remember? How it looked and what the Romanian U21 national team did in the only European qualification. 8 footballers from the current team were not even born!| date=12 September 2018 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> The qualification was succeeded after the team won the [[1998 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification|group 8]] of the qualifiers with 8 victories out of 8 matches against [[Iceland national under-21 football team|Iceland]], [[Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team|Republic of Ireland]], [[Lithuania national under-21 football team|Lithuania]] and [[North Macedonia national under-21 football team|Macedonia]].<ref name=sport2/> At the [[1998 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|final tournament]] which was composed of 8 teams, they were eliminated by [[Netherlands national under-21 football team|Netherlands]] with 2–0 in the quarter-finals, also losing the games for the 5th-8th places and for the 7th place in front of [[Germany national under-21 football team|Germany]], respectively [[Russia national under-21 football team|Russia]].<ref name=sport2/><ref name=sport3/><ref name=GSP2/> However, from the 20-players squad that took part at that tournament, only five did not get to play for [[Romania national football team|Romania's senior team]] throughout their career.<ref name=sport2/>

In 1998, following the success with the under-21 side, Pițurcă was appointed as [[Romania national football team|Romania's seniors]] manager, making his debut on 17 August in a friendly which ended 0–0 with [[Norway national football team|Norway]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=sport/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=EU2>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_manager.php?id=485|title=Victor Pițurcă manager profile|publisher=European Football|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=DIGI>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/echipa-nationala/cifrele-lui-piturca-cel-mai-longeviv-selectioner-si-singurul-care-a-calificat-romania-la-doua-editii-ale-ce-134553 | title=Cifrele lui Pițurcă: cel mai longeviv selecționer şi singurul care a calificat România la două ediții ale CE| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Pițurcă's figures: the longest-serving coach and the only one who qualified Romania for two editions of the EC| date=14 October 2014| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> He qualified the team to the [[2000 UEFA European Football Championship|Euro 2000]], as he won the [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 7|qualification group]] with seven victories and three draws in front of [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]], [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], [[Azerbaijan national football team|Azerbaijan]] and [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=EU2/><ref name=mediafax/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eurosport.ro/fotbal/campionatul-european-uefa/2000/dordesport-euro-2000-franta-campioana-mondiala-si-europeana.-ultimul-turneu-jucat-de-hagi_sto7722474/story.shtml | title=#Dordesport Euro 2000: Franța, Campioană mondială și europeană. Ultimul turneu jucat de Hagi | publisher=Eurosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=#Dordesport Euro 2000: France, World and European Champions. The last tournament played by Hagi| date=8 April 2020| access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://welovesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-un-rezultat-imens-din-vremea-in-care-norocul-nu-era-socotit-un-pacat-28637 | title=Un rezultat imens, din vremea în care norocul nu era socotit un păcat | publisher=Welovesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=A huge result, from the time when luck was not considered a sin| date=10 October 2023| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> However, despite this performance, Pițurcă was sacked in late 1999, not having the chance to take the squad to the final tournament, the reason was an argument he had with Romania's best players, [[Gheorghe Hagi]], [[Gheorghe Popescu (footballer, born 1967)|Gheorghe Popescu]] and [[Dan Petrescu]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=DIGI/><ref name=orange>{{cite web | url=https://orangesport.ro/victor-piturca-antrenorul-care-a-calificat-romania-la-doua-turnee-finale-de-campionat-european-exclude-o-revenire-pe-banca-nationalei-20093992| title=Victor Pițurcă, antrenorul care a calificat România la două turnee finale de Campionat European, exclude o revenire pe banca naționalei| publisher=Orangesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă, the coach who qualified Romania to two European Championship finals, rules out a return to the national team bench| date=3 April 2021 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

At the beginning of the year 2000, he returns at Steaua, finishing the championship on the 3rd position, but managed to win the [[2000–01 Divizia A|following one]] and also the [[2001 Supercupa României]] with a 2–1 victory against [[FC Dinamo Bucureşti|Dinamo București]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/super_cup/2001.shtml|title=Romanian Supercup – Season 2001|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> He resigned in June 2002 after an argument with the club's chairman, [[Gigi Becali]] but they reconciled and Pițurcă came back in October the same year.<ref name=fanatik/> He finished the [[2002–03 Divizia A|2002–03]] and [[2003–04 Divizia A|2003–04]] seasons on the second place, also guiding the team in the [[2003–04 UEFA Cup]] season when ''[[FCSB|The Red and Blues]]'' eliminated in the first two rounds [[FC Neman Grodno|Neman Grodno]] and [[Southampton FC|Southampton]], obtaining a 1–1 in the first leg of the following round with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], losing the away leg with 1–0, thus the campaign ending.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://premium.gsp.ro/gsp-special/poveste/70-de-ani-de-steaua-oricare-ar-fi-ea-drumul-alunecos-de-la-glorie-europeana-la-procese-si-incertitudine-512795.html | title=70 de ani de Steaua, oricare ar fi ea. Drumul alunecos de la glorie europeană la procese și incertitudine | publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=70 years of Steaua, whichever it is. The slippery road from European glory to lawsuits and uncertainty| date=7 June 2018| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> In July 2004, Pițurcă resigned after another argument with Becali who fired player [[Romeo Pădureț]] without his approval.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/paduret-ma-onoreaza-daca-piturca-a-plecat-pentru-1332738.html| title=Paduret:"Ma onoreaza daca Piturca a plecat pentru mine"| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paduret:"I would be honored if Piturca left for me"| date=31 July 2004 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/romeo-paduret-gigi-voia-sa-scape-de-piturca-de-aia-m-a-dat-afara-pe-mine-202480.html| title=Romeo Pădureț:"Gigi voia să scape de Pițurcă. De-aia m-a dat afară pe mine"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Romeo Pădureț:"Gigi wanted to get rid of Pițurcă. That's why he kicked me out"| date=3 April 2021 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

In December 2004 he was appointed manager of [[Romania national football team|Romania]] for the second time, in a moment when the qualification to the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] was pretty much compromised, being unable to qualify even do he obtained good results in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)#Group 1|qualifiers]] as a 2–0 home win over [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=EU2/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://romanialibera.ro/special/romania-cehia-2-0-1-0-11582/| title=Romania-Cehia 2-0 (1-0)| publisher=Romanialibera.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Romania-Czech Republic 2-0 (1-0)| date=5 September 2005 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> He won the [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group G|Euro 2008 qualifying group G]] in front of [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] against whom he obtained a historical first ever victory with 1–0 on the [[Stadionul Farul|Farul stadium]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=EU2/><ref name=DIGI/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/romania-invinge-olanda-cu-scorul-de-1-0-si-ramane-liderul-grupei-g-955003| title=România învinge Olanda cu scorul de 1-0 și rămâne liderul grupei G| publisher=Mediafax.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Romania defeats the Netherlands with a score of 1-0 and remains the leader of group G| date=13 October 2007 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1016446-romania-olanda-1-0-victoria-unei-generatii.htm | title=Romania - Olanda 1-0. Victoria unei generatii!| publisher=Hotnews.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Romania - Netherlands 1-0. Victory of a generation!| date=13 October 2007 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> This performance helped him earn the 2007 ''[[Gazeta Sporturilor]]'' [[Romania Coach of the Year]] award.<ref name=award>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/altele/stiri/piturca-socheaza-inainte-de-euro-2008-17191.html| title=Piturca socheaza inainte de EURO 2008| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Piturca shocks before EURO 2008| date=30 November 2007 | access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> At the [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]] final tournament, Romania was drawn in the "Group of Death" where they obtained two points in their first two games against the finalists of the previous World Cup, 0–0 with [[France national football team|France]] and 1–1 against [[Italy national football team|Italy]], but losing 0–2 to the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], finishing the group on the third place, thus being eliminated from the competition and being very criticized by the press for the defensive style imposed on the team, especially in the last match.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=EU2/><ref name=orange/><ref name=DIGI/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/euro-2008-haiducii-lui-piturca-n-au-1711487.html| title=EURO 2008: "Haiducii" lui Pițurcă n-au supravieţuit în "Grupa Morții"| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=EURO 2008: Pițurcă's "Hajduks" did not survive in the "Group of Death"| date=30 May 2016| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> After Euro 2008, Romania showed an increasingly poor form at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 7|2010 World Cup qualifying campaign]], as in the first two games Romania lost 0–3 against [[Lithuania national football team|Lithuania]] at home and four days later secured a difficult 1–0 victory against the [[Faroe Islands national football team|Faroe Islands]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=EU2/> After a 2–2 with [[France national football team|France]], he lost the next two games with [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]] and [[Austria national football team|Austria]].<ref name=EU2/> Considering these results, the [[Romanian Football Federation]] released Victor Pițurcă in April 2009, appointing [[Răzvan Lucescu]] instead.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=GDS/><ref name=mediafax/><ref name=EU2/>

In 2010, he had two short spells as manager at Steaua and [[FC Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]], leaving from both clubs after conflicts with the owners.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=mediafax/>
[[File:Algérie-Roumanie - 20140604 - Victor Piturca.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Victor Pițurcă as manager of [[Romania national football team|Romania]] in 2014]]
On 14 June 2011, he returned for a third spell in charge of the [[Romania national football team|Romania national team]] when the chances for [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group D|qualifying]] at the [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]] were very low, his objective being to create a team which would qualify for the [[UEFA Euro 2016|Euro 2016]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/nationala/piti-taie-in-carne-vie-cei-3-jucatori-care-nu-vor-mai-fi-chemati-la-nationala-si-ce-surprize-pregateste-noul-selectioner-8342038| title=Piți taie în carne vie! Cei 3 jucători care nu vor mai fi chemați la națională și ce SURPRIZE pregătește noul selecționer| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Piți cuts into living flesh! The 3 players who will no longer be called up to the national team and what SURPRISE the new coach is preparing| date=14 June 2011| access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/nationala/piturca-revine-cu-planuri-mari-sa-nu-credeti-ca-nu-voi-incerca-sa-calific-nationala-si-la-euro-2012-8344696| title=Pițurcă revine cu planuri mari:"Să nu credeți că nu voi încerca să calific naționala și la EURO 2012"| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Pițurcă returns with big plans:"Don't think that I won't try to qualify the national team for EURO 2012"| date=15 June 2011| access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/echipa-nationala/exclusiv-piturca-va-pleca-de-la-nationala-indiferent-de-soarta-calificarii-are-deja-o-oferta-pe-masa-66564| title=Pițurcă va pleca de la națională indiferent de soarta calificării. Are deja o ofertă pe masă| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Pițurcă will leave the national team regardless of the fate of the qualification. He already has an offer on the table| date=15 August 2013| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> He was close to qualify at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]], finishing the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D|qualification group]] on the second place behind Netherlands but above [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]], [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], [[Estonia national football team|Estonia]] and [[Andorra national football team|Andorra]], thus reaching the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA second round|play-off]] where they lost 4–2 with [[Greece national football team|Greece]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=EU2/> He started with two victories against Greece and [[Finland national football team|Finland]] and a draw with Hungary at the [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group F|Euro 2016 qualifiers]], then leaving the team to go in Saudi Arabia, but Romania still managed to qualify at the final tournament by using many of the young players that Pițurcă promoted in the last years.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=EU2/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/nationala/lista-celor-8-magnifici-care-ne-duc-la-euro-2016-matel-chiriches-torje-pintilii-grozav-si-mai-sunt-ce.html | title=Cei 8 MAGNIFICI care ne duc la Euro 2016: "Matel, Chiriches, Torje, Pintilii, Grozav si mai sunt!" Ce spune Mircea Sandu despre reconstructia echipei nationale | publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The 8 MAGNIFICENTS who will take us to Euro 2016: "Matel, Chiriches, Torje, Pintilii, Grozav and there are more!" What Mircea Sandu says about the reconstruction of the national team| date=16 December 2013 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.eurosport.ro/fotbal/calificarile-pentru-campionatul-european-uefa/2024/povestea-ultimei-calificari-a-romaniei-la-un-turneu-final.-cum-a-fost-drumul-tricolorilor-spre-euro-_sto9886115/story.shtml| title=Povestea ultimei calificări a României la un turneu final. Cum a fost drumul tricolorilor spre EURO 2016| publisher=Eurosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The story of Romania's last qualification to a final tournament. How was the tricolors' road to EURO 2016| date=17 November 2023| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> Victor Pițurcă has a total of 96 games from his three spells at the national team consisting of 53 victories, 23 draws and 20 losses.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=EU2/>

On 16 October 2014, he signed a two-year deal with [[Ittihad FC|Al-Ittihad]] in Saudi Arabia.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f8539d030-491b6bed1f7f-1000--piturca-and-romania-part-ways-for-third-time/|title=Pițurcă and Romania part ways for third time|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=16 October 2014|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> In January 2015, he was heavily criticized for excluding Al-Ittihad's top stars [[Mohammed Noor]] and [[Hamad Al-Montashari]] due to disobeying training procedure.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/piturca-socat-pe-seicii-de-la-al-ittihad-dat-afara-doua-legende-ale-clubului-1391944| title=SCANDAL la Al Ittihad! Pițurcă a dat afară două legende ale clubului| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=SCANDAL at Al Ittihad! Pițurcă fired two legends of the club| date=13 January 2015| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> He was dismissed by the club in June 2015 because the club's officials were unsatisfied that the team finished the season on the fourth place.<ref name=agerpres/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/international/stranieri/l-au-demis-presa-araba-anunta-ca-victor-piturca-a-fost-dat-afara-de-la-al-ittihad-cine-i-ar-putea-lua-locul-451394.html| title=L-au demis! Presa arabă anunţă că Victor Piţurcă a fost dat afară de la Al Ittihad. Cine i-ar putea lua locul| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=They fired him! The Arab press announces that Victor Piţurcă was fired from Al Ittihad. Who could take his place| date=6 June 2015| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>  He was replaced by [[László Bölöni]] but came back at the club in December the same year only to leave again in July 2016.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=agerpres/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/arabii-insista-victor-piturca-revine-la-al-ittihad-a-pus-conditii-speciale-pentru-a-isi-recupera-datoria-de-peste-un-milion-euro-1341720| title=Arabii insistă. "Victor Pițurcă revine la Al Ittihad. A pus condiții speciale pentru a își recupera datoria de peste un milion euro"| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The Arabs insist. "Victor Pițurcă returns to Al Ittihad. He set special conditions to recover his debt of over one million euros"| date=6 December 2015| access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/fotbal-international/piturca-si-a-reziliat-contractul-cu-al-ittihad-dar-nu-este-lasat-sa-plece-din-arabia-saudita-238459| title=Pițurcă și-a reziliat contractul cu Al Ittihad, dar nu este lăsat să plece din Arabia Saudită| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Pițurcă terminated his contract with Al Ittihad, but is not allowed to leave Saudi Arabia| date=19 July 2016| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

On 22 August 2019, he signed a contract with [[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]], resigning in January 2020, being unsatisfied that the club's officials did not want to transfer the players he wanted.<ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=agerpres/><ref name=GSP3>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/cs-universitatea-craiova-exclusiv-victor-piturca-dupa-plecarea-din-banie-eu-nu-stau-ca-sa-ma-bata-gigi-becali-586771.html| title=Victor Pițurcă, după plecarea din Bănie:"Eu nu stau ca să mă bată Gigi Becali!"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă, after leaving Bănie:"I don't stay to be beaten by Gigi Becali!"| date=4 January 2020| access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/victor-piturca-si-patronul-mihai-rotaru-razboi-total-motivul-pentru-care-s-au-certat-in-aceasta-dimineata-exclusiv-18960386|title=Bombă! Victor Pițurcă a demisionat de la Universitatea Craiova|publisher=[[ProSport]]|author=Victor Vrînceanu|date=4 January 2020}}</ref> Victor Pițurcă has a total of 204 matches as a manager in the Romanian top-division, Liga I, consisting of 116 victories, 43 draws and 45 losses.<ref name=GSP3/><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=21 November 2023}}</ref>

==Controversy==
In 1981, Victor Pițurcă and other people were arrested in [[Târgu Jiu]] for playing barbut which is a [[List of dice games|dice game]] that was illegal during the [[Socialist Republic of Romania|communist regime]].<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=gorj/><ref name=adevarul2>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/cati-bani-avea-victor-piturca-la-el-cand-a-fost-1709909.html| title=Câți bani avea Victor Pițurcă la el când a fost arestat pentru că juca barbut. S-a descoperit şi că fostul selecționer ținea acasă, sub calorifer, o mică avere | publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=How much money did Victor Pițurcă have on him when he was arrested for playing the game of barbut? It was also discovered that the former selector kept a small fortune at home, under the radiator| date=23 May 2016 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=playsport>{{cite web | url=https://www.playsport.ro/victor-piturca-arestat-si-dus-la-puscarie-dupa-ce-a-fost-judecat-si-condamnat-in-regim-de-urgenta-povestea-uitata-a-fostului-selectioner-al-romaniei-remember-241317 | title=Victor Pițurcă, arestat și dus la pușcărie după ce a fost judecat și condamnat în regim de urgență. Povestea uitată a fostului selecționer al României | publisher=Playsport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă, arrested and taken to prison after being tried and sentenced in emergency mode. The forgotten story of the former Romanian coach| date=13 February 2023 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=GSP4>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/victor-piturca-a-facut-puscarie-pentru-jocuri-de-noroc-646574.html | title=Victor Pițurcă dezvăluie cum a făcut două luni de pușcărie: "Nu vă dau niciun ban! Condamnați-mă!" + cine i-a spus primul "Satana" | publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă reveals how he spent two months in prison: "I won't give you any money! Condemn me!" + who called him "Satan" first| date=10 November 2021 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> He was sentenced to six months in prison but eventually got released after about two as his club [[FC Olt Scornicești|Olt Scornicești]] insisted for the re-trial.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=gorj/><ref name=adevarul2/><ref name=playsport/><ref name=GSP4/><ref name=DIGI2>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/victor-piturca-un-an-de-inchisoare-cu-suspendare-in-dosarul-valiza-56226 | title=Victor Pițurcă, un an de închisoare cu suspendare în "Dosarul Valiza"| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă, a year in prison with suspension in the "Suitcase Case"| date=4 June 2013 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=DIGI3>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/special/victor-piturca-a-fost-condamnat-in-dosarul-valiza-si-a-facut-inchisoare-inainte-de-1989-2192949 | title=Victor Pițurcă a fost condamnat în dosarul "Valiza" și a făcut închisoare înainte de 1989 | publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Victor Pițurcă was convicted in "The Suitcase" case and spent time in prison before 1989| date=30 January 2023 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=sport4>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/fotbal-intern/de-ce-a-fost-trimis-dupa-gratii-victor-piturca-inainte-de-1989.html | title=De ce a fost trimis după gratii Victor Pițurcă înainte de 1989 | publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Why was Victor Pițurcă sent behind bars before 1989| date=30 January 2023 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

In May 2008, [[Gigi Becali]], the owner of [[FCSB|Steaua]], had promised €1.7 million to the footballers of [[FC Universitatea Cluj|Universitatea Cluj]] so that they would not succumb to [[CFR Cluj]], sending one of his men with the money in [[Cluj-Napoca]] where he ended up detained by the [[National Anticorruption Directorate]].<ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=DIGI2/><ref name=DIGI3/><ref name=sport4/><ref name=ZF>{{cite web | url=https://www.zf.ro/zf-24/gigi-becali-condamnat-definitiv-la-trei-ani-de-inchisoare-cu-executare-in-dosarul-valiza-10926137 | title=Gigi Becali, condamnat definitiv la trei ani de închisoare cu executare în dosarul "Valiza"| publisher=Zf.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Gigi Becali, definitively sentenced to three years in prison with execution in the "Suitcase" file| date=4 June 2013 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref name=GSP5>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/citeste-istoria-completa-a-cazului-valiza-114317.html | title=Citește istoria completă a "Cazului Valiza"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Read the full story of "The Suitcase Case"| date=19 December 2008 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/teia-sponte-si-gigel-coman-retinuti-la-cluj-67743.html | title=Teia Sponte şi Gigel Coman reținuți la Cluj!| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Teia Sponte and Gigel Coman detained in Cluj!| date=8 May 2008 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> A few days later, Becali claimed the money was to buy a land and presented a sales-purchase contract that he claimed was signed on April 15, one of the signatures being of Pițurcă.<ref name=DIGI2/><ref name=DIGI3/><ref name=ZF/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/cum-a-ajuns-piturca-sa-fie-condamnat-in-dosarul-valiza-dialogul-dintre-selectioner-si-gigi-becali-400902.html | title=Cum a ajuns Pițurcă să fie condamnat în Dosarul Valiza. Dialogul dintre selecționer și Gigi Becali| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=How Pițurcă came to be convicted in the Suitcase Case. The dialogue between the coach and Gigi Becali| date=12 June 2013 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> In 2013, Pițurcă received a one-year suspended sentence in the case, being found guilty of [[perjury]] in favor of Becali.<ref name=fanatik2/><ref name=DIGI2/><ref name=DIGI3/><ref name=sport4/><ref name=ZF/><ref name=GSP5/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/ziua-valiza-in-fotbalul-romanesc-becali-poate-fi-condamnat-iar-si-steaua-retrogradata-scenariul-de-groaza.html | title=Ziua valiZa in fotbalul romanesc! Judecatorii au decis: Becali, CONDAMNAT la 3 ani de inchisoare cu executare! Piturca, un an cu suspendare!| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=ValiZa day in Romanian football! The judges decided: Becali, SENTENCED to 3 years in prison with execution! Piturca, a year with suspension!| date=4 June 2013 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/gigi-becali-a-primit-trei-ani-cu-executare-in-dosarul-valiza-steaua-risca-sa-fie-exclusa-din-europa-56180 | title=Gigi Becali a primit trei ani cu executare în Dosarul Valiza. Steaua riscă să fie exclusă din Europa| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Gigi Becali received three years with enforcement in the Suitcase Case. The star risks being excluded from Europe| date=3 June 2013 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
At [[FCSB|Steaua București]] and [[FC Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]] he coached his son, [[Alexandru Pițurcă|Alexandru]] who was a striker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/alexandru-piturca-nu-ma-compar-cu-tata-2540283|title=Alexandru Piţurcă: "Nu mă compar cu tata!"|date=10 April 2008 |publisher=Prosport.ro|language=ro|trans-title=Alexandru Piţurcă: „I can't compare myself with my father!“|access-date= 8 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/alexandru-piturca-program-separat-de-pregatire-tata-e-dur-cu-mine-7483299?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=555&width=950??|title=Alexandru Piţurcă, program separat de pregătire: "Tata e dur cu mine"|date=16 October 2010 |publisher=Prosport.ro|language=ro|trans-title=Alexandru Piţurcă, separate training schedule: "My father is ruff with me"|access-date= 8 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/special/special-situatie-de-gradul-i-in-liga-1-ce-a-realizat-silviu-lung-jr-prin-castigarea-titlului-cu-astra-de-la-fratii-valcov-la-fratii-costea-si-familia-piturca-15286412|title=SPECIAL Situaţie de gradul I în Liga 1. Ce a realizat Silviu Lung jr. prin câştigarea titlului cu Astra. De la fraţii Vâlcov, la fraţii Costea şi familia Piţurcă|date=9 May 2016 |publisher=Prosport.ro|language=ro |trans-title=SPECIAL First grade situation in Liga 1. What Silviu Lung jr. accomplished by winning the title with Astra. From the brothers Vâlcov to the brothers Costea and the Piţurcă family|access-date= 6 October 2017}}</ref> Victor Pițurcă is the cousin of [[Eugen Neagoe]] who was also a footballer and a coach.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.monitorulexpres.ro/?mod=monitorulexpres&p=sport&s_id=177001 | title= Vărul lui Piţurcă este antrenor la Sepsi| publisher=monitorulexpres.ro|language=ro |trans-title=Piţurcă's cousin is coach at Sepsi| date=15 November 2017 | access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://evz.ro/neagoe-inlocuit-de-varul-piturca-879558.html | title= Neagoe, înlocuit de vărul Piţurcă?| publisher=Evz.ro|language=ro |trans-title=Neagoe, replaced by his cousin Piţurcă?| date=13 December 2009 | access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref> Another one of his cousins, Florin Pițurcă was a footballer who played for [[FC Drobeta-Turnu Severin|Drobeta-Turnu Severin]] in [[Liga III|Divizia C]], dying in December 1978 at age 20, shortly after playing a game.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol-internacional/2015/09/20/eldesvan/543032-conspiracion-piturca.html | title=Conspiración Piturca|publisher=Vavel.com|language=Spanish |trans-title=The Piturca Conspiracy| date=20 September 2015 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/diverse/tragedia-care-a-nascut-multe-semne-de-intrebare-controversatul-deces-al-varului-lui-victor-piturca-14728242 | title=Tragedia care a născut multe semne de întrebare. Controversatul deces al vărului lui Victor Pițurcă|publisher=Prosport.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=The tragedy that gave birth to many question marks. The controversial death of Victor Pițurcă's cousin| date=20 September 2015 | access-date=21 November 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/stiri-locale/turnu-severin/misterul-din-jurul-mortii-fotbalistului-florin-1570415.html | title=Misterul din jurul morții fotbalistului Florin Pițurcă de la FC Drobeta. Dramă în familia selecționerului Victor Pițurcă|publisher=Adevarul.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=The mystery surrounding the death of footballer Florin Pițurcă from FC Drobeta. Drama in the family of the selector Victor Pițurcă| date=12 October 2014 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

Victor Pițurcă was nicknamed ''Satana'' ("[[Satan]]") by the press, something he called "remarkable".<ref name=fanatik/><ref name=GSP3/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.ro/liga-1/piturca-este-mandru-de-porecla-satana-vezi-de-unde-vine.html|title=Piturca este mandru de porecla Satana! Vezi de unde vine|trans-title=Piturca is proud of his "Satan" nickname! See where it came from|date=March 2010|access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Pandurii Târgu Jiu'''
*[[Liga III|Divizia C]]: [[1978–79 Divizia C|1978–79]]<ref name=gorj/>
'''Steaua București'''
*[[Liga I|Divizia A]]: [[1984–85 Divizia A|1984–85]], [[1985–86 Divizia A|1985–86]], [[1986–87 Divizia A|1986–87]], [[1987–88 Divizia A|1987–88]], [[1988–89 Divizia A|1988–89]]<ref name=RS/>
*[[Cupa României]]: [[1984–85 Cupa României|1984–85]], [[1986–87 Cupa României|1986–87]], [[1987–88 Cupa României|1987–88]], [[1988–89 Cupa României|1988–89]]<ref name=RS/>
*[[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]: [[European Cup 1985–86|1985–86]], runner-up: [[European Cup 1988–89|1988–89]]<ref name=RS/>
*[[European Supercup]]: [[1986 European Super Cup|1986]]<ref name=RS/>
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]] runner-up: [[1986 Intercontinental Cup|1986]]<ref>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/weltpokal-1986-finale-river-plate-steaua-bucuresti/|title=River Plate 1:0 Steaua București|access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

===Individual===
*[[Liga I|Divizia A]] top scorer: [[Divizia A 1987–88|1987–88]]<ref name=RS/>
*[[European Golden Shoe|European Bronze Boot]]: 1987–88<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web|author1=Arotaritei, Sorin |author2=Di Maggio, Roberto |author3=Stokkermans, Karel |title=Golden Boot ("Soulier d'Or") Awards|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html|date=16 August 2016|website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref>

===Coach===
'''Steaua București'''
*[[Liga I|Divizia A]]: [[2000–01 Divizia A|2000–01]]<ref name=RS/>
*[[Cupa României]]: [[1991–92 Cupa României|1991–92]]<ref name=RS/>
*[[Supercupa României]]: [[2001 Supercupa României|2001]]<ref name=RS/>

===Individual===
*''[[Gazeta Sporturilor]]'' [[Romania Coach of the Year]]: 2007<ref name=award/>

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|22 December 2019}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="5"|Record
|-
!G!!W!!D!!L!!Win %
|-
|align=left|[[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|8 March 1992
|align=left|21 June 1992
{{WDL|23|14|5|4}}
|-
|align=left|[[FC U Craiova 1948|FC Universitatea Craiova]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|29 August 1994
|align=left|30 June 1995
{{WDL|37|23|4|10}}
|-
|align=left|[[Romania national under-21 football team|Romania U21]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|1 June 1996
|align=left|31 May 1998
{{WDL|10|8|0|2}}
|-
|align=left|[[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|1 June 1998
|align=left|1 December 1999
{{WDL|21|11|8|2}}
|-
|align=left|[[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|7 July 2000
|align=left|7 June 2002
{{WDL|75|39|17|19}}
|-
|align=left|[[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|27 October 2002
|align=left|3 June 2004
{{WDL|61|32|21|8}}
|-
|align=left|[[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|10 December 2004
|align=left|9 April 2009
{{WDL|46|27|7|12}}
|-
|align=left|[[FCSB|Steaua București]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|20 June 2010
|align=left|6 August 2010
{{WDL|3|2|1|0}}
|-
|align=left|[[FC U Craiova 1948|FC Universitatea Craiova]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|26 August 2010
|align=left|14 January 2011
{{WDL|16|7|3|6}}
|-
|align=left|[[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|14 June 2011
|align=left|16 October 2014
{{WDL|35|17|10|8}}
|-
|align=left|[[Ittihad FC|Al-Ittihad]]
|{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}}
|align=left|17 October 2014
|align=left|12 July 2015
{{WDL|23|12|4|7}}
|-
|align=left|Al-Ittihad
|{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}}
|align=left|15 December 2015
|align=left|10 July 2016
{{WDL|26|14|5|7}}
|-
|align=left|[[CS Universitatea Craiova|Universitatea Craiova]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|1 September 2019
|align=left|4 January 2020
{{WDL|16|8|3|5}}
|-
!colspan="4" align="center" valign=middle|Total
{{WDLtot|392|214|88|90}}
|}


==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{NFT player|17643}}
* {{RomanianSoccer|1595/victor-piturca}}
* [http://www.steauafc.com/ro/antrenori/34/ Victor Pițurcă manager profile] at Steaua București {{in lang|ro}}
* {{EU-Football.info manager|485}}
* {{Soccerbase manager|2644}}
* {{NFT coach|17643}}
* {{Soccerway coach|33491}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{Liga I top scorers}}
{{Romania Coach of the Year}}
}}
{{Romania Squad 2008 UEFA Euro}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Victor Pițurcă managerial positions
|list1=
{{Romania national football team managers}}
{{Al-Ittihad managers}}
{{FC Steaua București managers}}
{{CS Universitatea Craiova managers}}
{{FC Universitatea Craiova managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piturca, Victor}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Romanian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Footballers from Dolj County]]
[[Category:Liga I players]]
[[Category:Liga II players]]
[[Category:Liga III players]]
[[Category:CS Universitatea Craiova players]]
[[Category:CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu players]]
[[Category:FC Olt Scornicești players]]
[[Category:FCSB players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Ligue 2 players]]
[[Category:RC Lens players]]
[[Category:Romania men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Romanian football managers]]
[[Category:Liga I managers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2008 managers]]
[[Category:Saudi Pro League managers]]
[[Category:FCSB non-playing staff]]
[[Category:FCSB managers]]
[[Category:FC U Craiova 1948 managers]]
[[Category:Romania national football team managers]]
[[Category:Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah) managers]]
[[Category:CS Universitatea Craiova managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian sportsmen]]