Anghel Iordănescu
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Anghel "Puiu" Iordănescu (Script error: No such module "IPA".; born 4 May 1950), is a Romanian former footballer and former manager, who played as a forward.
In 2007, Iordănescu retired from football, and the following February, after his predecessor resigned, he became a member of the Romanian Senate, sitting on the Social Democratic Party benches.[1][2] On 26 December 2011, he became an independent senator, affiliated to the National Union for the Progress of Romania.[3][4]
His son, Edward Iordănescu, is also a former footballer, currently the head coach of the Romania national team.[5][6]
Club career
One of Steaua București's greatest players, Iordănescu was a forward or attacking midfielder with a well-developed scoring technique and uncommon dribbling ability. He was also well known for his vision and set-piece ability. In Romania, he played only for Steaua, a team he joined as a youth in 1962, aged 12. Six years later, he made his debut for the first team, followed by his first appearance for the Romania national team in 1971. During this period, he scored 155 goals, becoming the team's highest ever goal scorer.
Iordănescu won two league championships (in 1976 and 1978) and four Cupa Romaniei (in 1970, 1971, 1976, and 1979). In 1981–82, he was Divizia A's top goalscorer.
In 1982, aged 32, Iordănescu left Romania to play for OFI Crete in Greece under head coach Les Shannon, but returned to Steaua two years later to become the club's assistant manager. Together with Emerich Jenei, then head coach, he won the championship in 1985 and helped lead the team to its European Cup triumph in 1986, playing as a substitute in the final against Barcelona.[7]
International career
Iordănescu made his international debut on 22 September 1971 against Finland and scored the opening goal of a 4-0 win.[8] The highlight of his international career came in the 1977-80 Balkan Cup, when he scored a hat-trick in the second leg of the final to defeat Yugoslavia 4-3 on aggregate and give Romania a record-breaking fourth title (Bulgaria won 3 times), and subsequently being the tournament's top goal scorer with 6 goals.[9]
Career statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 1971 | 3 | 1 |
| 1972 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1973 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1974 | 7 | 2 | |
| 1975 | 7 | 2 | |
| 1976 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1977 | 7 | 4 | |
| 1978 | 9 | 4 | |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1980 | 4 | 6 | |
| 1981 | 7 | 1 | |
| Total | 57 | 21 | |
International goals
Scores and results table. "Score" indicates the score after the player's goal:
| International goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 22 September 1971 | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Finland | flag alias = Flag of Finland.svg | flag alias-grand duchy = Flag of Russia.svg | flag alias-1809 = Flag of Russia.svg | flag alias-1917 = Flag of Finland 1918 (state).svg | flag alias-1918 = Flag of Finland (1918-1920).svg | flag alias-1920 = Flag of Finland.svg | flag alias-state = Flag of Finland (state).svg | flag alias-state-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (State).svg | flag alias-state-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (State).svg | flag alias-naval = Military Flag of Finland.svg | border-naval = | flag alias-naval-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (Military).svg | border-naval-1918 = | flag alias-naval-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (Military).svg | border-naval-1920 = | link alias-naval = Finnish Navy | flag alias-navy = Naval Jack of Finland.svg | link alias-navy = Finnish Navy | link alias-air force = Finnish Air Force | flag alias-military = Military flag of Finland.svg | link alias-military = Finnish Defence Forces | flag alias-army = Military flag of Finland.svg | link alias-army = Finnish Army | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 1-0 || 4-0 || UEFA Euro 1972 Qual. | ||||||||||
| 2 | 8 April 1972 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = France | flag alias = Flag of France.svg | flag alias-1790 = Flag of France (1790–1794).svg | flag alias-1794 = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg | flag alias-1814 = Flag of the Kingdom of France (1814-1830).svg | flag alias-1830 = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg | flag alias-1848 = Drapeau france 1848.svg | flag alias-1848a = Drapeau france 1848.svg | flag alias-1848b = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg | flag alias-1974 = Flag of France (lighter variant).svg | flag alias-naval = Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg | flag alias-naval-1790 = Flag of French-Navy-Revolution.svg | flag alias-air force = Flag of France.svg | link alias-air force = French Air and Space Force | flag alias-coast guard = French Maritime Gendarmerie racing stripe.svg | border-coast guard = | link alias-coast guard = French Maritime Gendarmerie | flag alias-army = Flag of France.svg | link alias-army = French Army | link alias-naval = French Navy | flag alias-navy = Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg | link alias-navy = French Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 1-0 || 2-0 || Friendly | ||||||||||||
| 3 | 29 May 1974 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Greece | flag alias = Flag of Greece.svg | flag alias-old = Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg | flag alias-1970 = Flag of Greece (1970-1975).svg | flag alias-royal = State flag of Greece (1863–1924;1935–73).svg | flag alias-otto = Naval Royal Standard of Greece (1858-1862).svg | flag alias-army = Hellenic Army War Flag.svg | link alias-army = Hellenic Army | border-army= | flag alias-air force=Fin Flash of Greece.svg | link alias-air force=Hellenic Air Force | flag alias-royalnavy = Naval Ensign of Kingdom of Greece.svg | link alias-naval = Hellenic Navy | flag alias-navy = Flag of Greece.svg | link alias-navy = Hellenic Navy | link alias-military = Hellenic Armed Forces | link alias-royalnavy = Royal Hellenic Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant = old
}} || 1-1 || rowspan="2"|3-1 || rowspan="2"|1973–76 Balkan Cup | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 12 October 1975 | Stadionul Republicii, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Turkey | flag alias = Flag of Turkey.svg | link alias-naval = Turkish Naval Forces | link alias-navy = Turkish Navy | link alias-air force = Turkish Air Force | link alias-army = Turkish Land Forces | link alias-military = Turkish Armed Forces | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | altvar = football | variant =
}} || 1-1 || 2-2 || Friendly | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 16 November 1975 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Spain | flag alias = Flag of Spain.svg | flag alias-1506 = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg | flag alias-1701 = Bandera de España 1701-1748.svg | flag alias-1748 = Bandera de España 1748-1785.svg | flag alias-1760 = Bandera de España 1760-1785.svg | flag alias-1785 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg | flag alias-1873 = Flag of the First Spanish Republic.svg | flag alias-1874 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg | flag alias-1931 = Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg | flag alias-civil-1931 = Flag of the Second Spanish Republic (plain).svg | flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Bando Nacional (1936–1938).svg | flag alias-1938 = Flag of Spain (1938–1945).svg | flag alias-1945 = Flag of Spain (1945–1977).svg | flag alias-1977 = Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg | flag alias-civil = Flag of Spain (civil).svg | flag alias-civil-1785 = BandMercante1785.svg | flag alias-navy = Flag of Spain.svg | link alias-navy = Spanish Navy | flag alias-marines = Flag of Spain.svg | link alias-marines = Spanish Marine Infantry | flag alias-army = Flag of Spain.svg | link alias-army = Spanish Army | flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Spain.svg | link alias-naval = Spanish Navy | flag alias-air force = Flag of Spain.svg | link alias-air force = Spanish Air and Space Force | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant = 1945
}} || 2-2 || 2-2 || UEFA Euro 1976 Qual. | |||||||
| 7 | 23 March 1977 | Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Turkey | flag alias = Flag of Turkey.svg | link alias-naval = Turkish Naval Forces | link alias-navy = Turkish Navy | link alias-air force = Turkish Air Force | link alias-army = Turkish Land Forces | link alias-military = Turkish Armed Forces | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | altvar = football | variant =
}} || 4-0 || 4-0 || 1977-80 Balkan Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 8 May 1977 | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, SFR Yugoslavia | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | shortname alias = Yugoslavia | flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg | flag alias-shs = Flag of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs.svg | flag alias-army = Yugoslavia Infantry flag.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | link alias-military = Yugoslav People's Army | link alias-army = Yugoslav Ground Forces | link alias-naval = Yugoslav Navy | link alias-air force = Yugoslav Air Force | link alias-navy = Yugoslav Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 2-0 || 2-0 || 1978 FIFA World Cup Qual. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 14 August 1977 | Stade de F.U.S., Rabat, Morocco | {{safesubst: Template:Yesno | alias = Czechoslovakia | flag alias = Flag of the Czech Republic.svg | flag alias-1918 = Flag of Bohemia.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval_Ensign_of_Czechoslovakia_1935-1939_1945-1955.svg | link alias-naval = Czechoslovakian Naval Forces | link alias-army = Czechoslovak Army | flag alias-navy = Naval_Ensign_of_Czechoslovakia_1935-1939_1945-1955.svg | link alias-navy = Czechoslovakian Naval Forces | size = | name = | variant = | altlink = national football team | altvar = football
}} || 3-1 || 3-1 || Friendly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 13 November 1977 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | shortname alias = Yugoslavia | flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg | flag alias-shs = Flag of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs.svg | flag alias-army = Yugoslavia Infantry flag.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | link alias-military = Yugoslav People's Army | link alias-army = Yugoslav Ground Forces | link alias-naval = Yugoslav Navy | link alias-air force = Yugoslav Air Force | link alias-navy = Yugoslav Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 2-2 || 4-6 || 1978 FIFA World Cup Qual. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 5 May 1978 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Bulgaria | flag alias = Flag of Bulgaria.svg | flag alias-digital = Flag of Bulgaria (digital).svg | flag alias-1878 = Flag of Bulgaria.svg | flag alias-1947 = Flag of Bulgaria (1946–1948).svg | flag alias-1948 = Flag of Bulgaria (1948–1967).svg | flag alias-1968 = Flag of Bulgaria (1967-1971).svg | flag alias-1971 = Flag of Bulgaria (1971–1990).svg | flag alias-naval-1879 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1878-1944).svg | flag alias-naval-1949 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1949-1955).svg | flag alias-naval-1955 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1955-1990).svg | flag alias-naval-1991 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria 1991-2005.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-naval = Bulgarian Navy | flag alias-army = War flag of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-army = Bulgarian Land Forces | link alias-air force = Bulgarian Air Force | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-navy = Bulgarian Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant = 1971
}} || 1-0 || 2-0 || 1977-80 Balkan Cup | |||||||||||||||
| 12 | 31 May 1978 | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Bulgaria | flag alias = Flag of Bulgaria.svg | flag alias-digital = Flag of Bulgaria (digital).svg | flag alias-1878 = Flag of Bulgaria.svg | flag alias-1947 = Flag of Bulgaria (1946–1948).svg | flag alias-1948 = Flag of Bulgaria (1948–1967).svg | flag alias-1968 = Flag of Bulgaria (1967-1971).svg | flag alias-1971 = Flag of Bulgaria (1971–1990).svg | flag alias-naval-1879 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1878-1944).svg | flag alias-naval-1949 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1949-1955).svg | flag alias-naval-1955 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1955-1990).svg | flag alias-naval-1991 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria 1991-2005.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-naval = Bulgarian Navy | flag alias-army = War flag of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-army = Bulgarian Land Forces | link alias-air force = Bulgarian Air Force | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-navy = Bulgarian Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant = 1971
}} || 1-1 || 1-1 || 1977-80 Balkan Cup | |||||||||||||||
| 13 | 11 October 1978 | Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Poland | flag alias = Flag of Poland.svg | flag alias-state = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg | flag alias-1815 = Flag of the Congress of Poland.svg | flag alias-1919 = Flag of Poland (1919-1928).svg | flag alias-1928 = Flag of Poland (1928–1980).svg | flag alias-1955 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1955-1980).svg | flag alias-1980 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1980-1990).svg | flag alias-1990 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg | flag alias-naval = PL navy flag IIIRP.svg | border-naval = | flag alias-naval-1919 = Naval Ensign of IIRP v1.svg | border-naval-1919 = | flag alias-naval-1946 = Naval Ensign of PRL v1.svg | border-naval-1946 = | flag alias-naval-auxiliary = Flaga pomocniczych jednostek pływających Polskiej Marynarki Wojennej.svg | flag alias-naval-auxiliary-1955 = POL Bandera pjp PRL v1.svg | link alias-naval = Polish Navy | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Poland.svg | border-navy = | link alias-navy = Polish Navy | flag alias-marines = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg | border-marines = | link alias-marines = Polish 7th Coastal Defense Brigade | flag alias-air force = Flag of the Polish Air Force.svg | border-air force = | link alias-air force = Polish Air Force | flag alias-army = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg | border-army = | link alias-army = Polish Land Forces | size = | size flag alias-naval = 25px | size flag alias-naval-1919 = 25px | size flag alias-naval-1946 = 25px | size flag alias-air force = 25px | name = | altlink = national football team | variant = 1927
}} || 1-0 || 1-0 || Friendly |
| 14 | 25 October 1978 | Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | shortname alias = Yugoslavia | flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg | flag alias-shs = Flag of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs.svg | flag alias-army = Yugoslavia Infantry flag.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | link alias-military = Yugoslav People's Army | link alias-army = Yugoslav Ground Forces | link alias-naval = Yugoslav Navy | link alias-air force = Yugoslav Air Force | link alias-navy = Yugoslav Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 3-1 || 3-2 || UEFA Euro 1980 Qual. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | 27 August 1980 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | shortname alias = Yugoslavia | flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg | flag alias-shs = Flag of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs.svg | flag alias-army = Yugoslavia Infantry flag.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Yugoslavia (1949–1993).svg | link alias-military = Yugoslav People's Army | link alias-army = Yugoslav Ground Forces | link alias-naval = Yugoslav Navy | link alias-air force = Yugoslav Air Force | link alias-navy = Yugoslav Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 1-0 || rowspan="3"|4-1 || rowspan="3"|1977-80 Balkan Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | 3-0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | 4-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | 10 September 1980 | Yuri Gagarin Stadium, Varna, Bulgaria | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Bulgaria | flag alias = Flag of Bulgaria.svg | flag alias-digital = Flag of Bulgaria (digital).svg | flag alias-1878 = Flag of Bulgaria.svg | flag alias-1947 = Flag of Bulgaria (1946–1948).svg | flag alias-1948 = Flag of Bulgaria (1948–1967).svg | flag alias-1968 = Flag of Bulgaria (1967-1971).svg | flag alias-1971 = Flag of Bulgaria (1971–1990).svg | flag alias-naval-1879 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1878-1944).svg | flag alias-naval-1949 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1949-1955).svg | flag alias-naval-1955 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1955-1990).svg | flag alias-naval-1991 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria 1991-2005.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-naval = Bulgarian Navy | flag alias-army = War flag of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-army = Bulgarian Land Forces | link alias-air force = Bulgarian Air Force | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg | link alias-navy = Bulgarian Navy | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant = 1971
}} || 2-1 || 2-1 || Friendly | |||||||||||||||
| 19 | 24 September 1980 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | {{safesubst: Template:Yesno | alias = Norway | flag alias = Flag of Norway.svg | flag alias-old kingdom = Royal Standard of Norway.svg | flag alias-1814 = Flag of Norway (1814–1821).svg | flag alias-1818 = Swedish and Norwegian merchant flag 1818-1844.svg | flag alias-1844 = Norge-Unionsflagg-1844.svg | flag alias-state = Flag of Norway, state.svg | border-state = | flag alias-army = Flag of the Norwegian Army.svg | border-army = | link alias-army = Norwegian Army | flag alias-war = Flag of Norway, state.svg | link alias-war = Norwegian Armed Forces | border-war = | flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Norway.svg | border-naval = | link alias-naval = Royal Norwegian Navy | flag alias-air force = Royal Norwegian Air Force Flag.svg | border-air force = | link alias-air force = Royal Norwegian Air Force | flag alias-navy = Flag of Norway, state.svg | border-navy = | link alias-navy = Royal Norwegian Navy | flag alias-coast guard = Norwegian Coast Guard Racing Stripe.svg | link alias-coast guard = Norwegian Coast Guard | border-coast guard = | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 1-1 || 1-1 || 1982 FIFA World Cup Qual. | ||||||||
| 20 | 15 October 1980 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = England | flag alias = Flag of England.svg | flag alias-naval = English White Ensign 1620.svg | link alias-naval = Royal Navy | flag alias-navy = English White Ensign 1620.svg | link alias-navy = Royal Navy | link alias-cricket = England cricket team | empty = England Saxons | size = | name = | variant = | altlink = national football team | altvar = football
}} || 2-1 || 2-1 || 1982 FIFA World Cup Qual. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | 25 March 1981 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Poland | flag alias = Flag of Poland.svg | flag alias-state = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg | flag alias-1815 = Flag of the Congress of Poland.svg | flag alias-1919 = Flag of Poland (1919-1928).svg | flag alias-1928 = Flag of Poland (1928–1980).svg | flag alias-1955 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1955-1980).svg | flag alias-1980 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1980-1990).svg | flag alias-1990 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg | flag alias-naval = PL navy flag IIIRP.svg | border-naval = | flag alias-naval-1919 = Naval Ensign of IIRP v1.svg | border-naval-1919 = | flag alias-naval-1946 = Naval Ensign of PRL v1.svg | border-naval-1946 = | flag alias-naval-auxiliary = Flaga pomocniczych jednostek pływających Polskiej Marynarki Wojennej.svg | flag alias-naval-auxiliary-1955 = POL Bandera pjp PRL v1.svg | link alias-naval = Polish Navy | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Poland.svg | border-navy = | link alias-navy = Polish Navy | flag alias-marines = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg | border-marines = | link alias-marines = Polish 7th Coastal Defense Brigade | flag alias-air force = Flag of the Polish Air Force.svg | border-air force = | link alias-air force = Polish Air Force | flag alias-army = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg | border-army = | link alias-army = Polish Land Forces | size = | size flag alias-naval = 25px | size flag alias-naval-1919 = 25px | size flag alias-naval-1946 = 25px | size flag alias-air force = 25px | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || 2-0 || 2-0 || Friendly |
Coaching career
Emerich Jenei was appointed as Romania's manager in the summer of 1986, leaving Iordănescu as Steaua's new head coach. From his new position, he led his side to victory in three championships (1987, 1988 and 1989) as well as three Cupa Romaniei in the same years. At international level, Steaua and Iordănescu reached the European Cup semi-final in 1988 and the final one year later.
In 1990, he left Steaua for the second time as he signed a two-year contract with Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta. After being released from his contract, he returned to Steaua in 1992 to lead the club to the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals in 1993, and then a new league championship.
In the summer of 1993, he was asked to replace Cornel Dinu as Romania's coach and managed to lead the team to qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where Romania reached the quarter-finals, the best-ever performance of the Romanian national team at that level. He continued as Romania's coach after the World Cup and led the team to a new qualification, for UEFA Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup, where Romania reached the knockout stage as winners of Group G.
However, although he had led the team to a new qualification for a World Cup, Iordănescu was harshly criticized by the media, with some journalists accusing him of the low level of the team during the process. After losing against Croatia in the second round of the 1998 World Cup, he resigned and took over the managerial position of Greece, from where he would be sacked in 1999 after Greece failed to qualify for Euro 2000.
In the 1999–2000 season, Iordănescu was appointed head coach of Saudi club Al-Hilal, where he won the Saudi Crown Prince Cup and the Asian Club Championship (the forerunner to the AFC Champions League).[11] Despite these performances, he left the club to lead Rapid București. He led Rapid to the first round of the 2000–01 UEFA Cup, losing 1–0 on aggregate to eventual winners Liverpool.[12] However, he was sacked after only three months, after which he signed with Emirati club Al Ain, guiding them to UAE President's Cup title.[13]
After Romania failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, Iordănescu was asked to replace Gheorghe Hagi, thereby becoming the national football team's coach for the second time. His main objective was to qualify the team for Euro 2004, but failed to do so. Saying that there was no one else both better than he and available to take charge of the national team, the Romanian Football Federation gave him credit for the 2006 World Cup qualifying stage, but after a poor performance away against Armenia, he was finally sacked.
After his second stint as Romania's coach, Iordănescu returned to Saudi Arabia to manage Al-Ittihad, with whom he won his second AFC Champions League (in 2005) and the Arab Champions League, but one year later was sacked after drawing with Al-Ettifaq.[14] Just as the 2006–07 UAE League season began, Iordănescu returned to coach Al Ain for a few months before announcing his retirement from professional football.
In October 2014, Iordănescu came out of retirement to take charge of Romania for a third time.[15] On 27 June 2016, he resigned as Romania coach after an unsuccessful Euro 2016 finals campaign, finishing last place in Group A with just one point earned, from a 1–1 draw with Switzerland.[16]
Honours
Player
Steaua București
- Divizia A: 1975–76, 1977–78
- Cupa României: 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1975–76, 1978–79
- European Cup: 1985–86
Romania
Individual
- Gazeta Sporturilor Romanian Footballer of the Year runner-up: 1980
- Divizia A top scorer: 1981–82
Coach
Steaua București
- Divizia A: 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1992–93
- Cupa României: 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89
- European Cup runner-up : 1988–89
- European Super Cup: 1986
- Intercontinental Cup runner-up: 1986
Al Hilal
- Asian Club Championship: 1999–00
- Saudi Crown Prince Cup: 2000
- Saudi Federation Cup: 1999–00
- Saudi Founder's Cup: 1999–00
- Gulf Club Champions Cup runner-up: 2000
Al Ain
Al Ittihad
See also
References
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External links
- Template:RomanianSoccer
- Anghel Iordănescu at National-Football-Teams.comScript error: No such module "EditAtWikidata".Script error: No such module "WikidataCheck".
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- Pages with script errors
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- 1950 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Bucharest
- Romanian football managers
- Romanian men's footballers
- Romania men's international footballers
- Romanian expatriate men's footballers
- Liga I players
- Super League Greece players
- FCSB players
- UEFA Champions League–winning players
- OFI Crete F.C. players
- Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
- FCSB managers
- Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah) managers
- Expatriate football managers in Cyprus
- FCSB non-playing staff
- FC Rapid București managers
- 1994 FIFA World Cup managers
- UEFA Euro 1996 managers
- 1998 FIFA World Cup managers
- Men's association football forwards
- Greece national football team managers
- Al Hilal SFC managers
- Members of the Senate of Romania
- Social Democratic Party (Romania) politicians
- Romanian sportsperson-politicians
- Anorthosis Famagusta FC managers
- Al Ain FC managers
- Romanian expatriate football managers
- Romania national football team managers
- Expatriate football managers in Greece
- Expatriate football managers in Saudi Arabia
- Expatriate football managers in the United Arab Emirates
- Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Greece
- Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus
- Romanian expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates
- Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia
- UEFA Euro 2016 managers
- 20th-century Romanian sportsmen