Dual role for Stoichita

Mihai Stoichita has taken charge of both the Armenian national team and FC Pyunik.

Three-year contract
The Romanian has signed a three-year contract to coach each team after approaching the Football Federation of Armenia himself about taking over the dual role from caretaker Andranik Adamyan, who himself replaced Oscar López' when he unexpectedly resigned in January.

Week to prepare
Stoichita, former coach of the Panamanian national side as well as PFC Litex Lovech, FC Dinamo Bucutesti, FC National Bucuresti, FC Steaua Bucurasti, Ankaragucu and FC Sheriff Tiraspol, now has just a week to prepare his Armenia team for UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers against Northern Ireland on 29 March and Spain four days later.

'Too few chances'
"I have been watching Armenia closely and I realized that attack is the weakest link," said Stoichita. "There are too few chances being created and I will need to fix that."

'Two difficult games'
Armenia have one point from two Group 6 qualifiers, and Stoichita added: "We are facing two difficult games. I think we will not be able to perform any wonders in a week, but we should be able at least to rebuild our game. I am hoping that player's fitness and their will can aid us to pick up as many points as possible."

Pyunik task
Meanwhile, Pyunik, who begin the defence of their Armenian Premier League title next month, will look to Stoichita’s European experience to help them when they begin another UEFA Champions League bid in the summer.