Mandorlini replaces Conceição in Cluj

Romanian leaders CFR 1907 Cluj have replaced Portuguese coach Antonio Conceição with Italian Andrea Mandorlini.

Experience
CFR are on course for a second Romanian title in three years 13 games into the season but in the UEFA Europa League three defeats in a row have left them bottom of Group K. Conceição was installed in April and aided victories in the Romanian Cup and Romanian Super Cup, but has given way to 49-year-old former FC Internazionale Milano player Mandorlini, who has coaching experience in Italy dating back to 1993, most notably leading Atalanta BC to promotion from Serie B in 2003/04.

Ambition
"I came to Cluj because I was convinced by their project and by their ambitions," Mandorlini said. "What they have done in the last eight years is almost impossible to be achieved by a club." Four points adrift of second-placed AC Sparta Praha in Group K, CFR must win at København on 3 December and beat PSV Eindhoven 13 days later, as well as needing other results to go their way.