Levy takes leave of Unirea

FC Unirea Urziceni are searching for a new coach ahead of the conclusion of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie against HNK Hajduk Split after Roni Levy left the club by mutual consent.

The 43-year-old reached an agreement earlier this month to be released from his contract after the return match against Hajduk on Thursday. However, the sale of highly-rated goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis to FC Rubin Kazan coupled with a 4-1 loss in the first leg in Croatia – Unirea's heaviest defeat in UEFA competition – prompted the Israeli trainer to quit earlier than scheduled.

Levy said: "I have left by mutual consent. I would like to thank everybody I worked with at Urziceni, but the lack of financial stability and the uncertainty surrounding the players made me take this decision."

Levy succeeded Dan Petrescu on an 18-month deal in January, steering the 2008/09 Romanian champions to a runners-up finish, three points behind CFR 1907 Cluj. Assistant coaches Gabriel Caramarin and Eugen Nae will take charge for Monday's league fixture at FC Braşov, where second-bottom Unirea will attempt to record their first win of the season.