Curteian replaces Caras as Moldova coach

Alexandr Curteian has been promoted to the role of Moldova coach after the dismissal of Ion Caras.

The Football Association of Moldova (FAM) executive committee decided on Wednesday to end the reign of Caras, 64, saying his work since the end of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying has been "unsatisfactory". Curteian, one of Moldova's greatest-ever players, steps up from his previous position of Under-21 coach.

Caras, Moldova's first national coach in 1991, was reappointed in January 2012 and earned 11 points in World Cup qualifying. He was named Moldova's coach of year in 2013 after winning 5-2 in Montenegro and extended his contract in January. But in seven friendlies his team lost four times and won only twice before a 2-0 defeat in Montenegro earlier this month to begin UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group G.

The 40-year-old Curteian won five league titles as a player with FC Zimbru Chisinau, the Polish Ekstraklasa at RTS Widzew Łódź and the Russian Cup for FC Zenit, as well as spending time at Hamburger SV. He began coaching at Zimbru as caretaker in 2007, winning the Moldovan Cup, and led FC Smena-Zenit before becoming Moldova assistant to Gabi Balint.

Having been caretaker before Caras's return, Curteian was appointed U21 coach and his team came third in their 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group, pipped to second by Finland on goal difference.

Moldova's first UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier under Curteian is against Austria in Chisinau on 9 October before visiting Russia in his former club home of St Petersburg three days later.