Zenga snapped up by Steaua

Surprise departure
The 44-year-old Zenga will start work tomorrow, just two days before the capital club begin their campaign at home to CF Gloria 1922 Bistrita and ahead of their forthcoming UEFA Cup commitments. Piturca told the squad he was leaving this morning after disagreements with Steaua owner Gigi Becali.

Munteanu to assist
Becali consulted with players before appointing Zenga, while the departure of Piturca's assistants Stefan Iovan and Gabriel Boldici means that Dorinel Munteanu will step up to become the No2. However, the 36-year-old Munteanu will continue as a player while taking coaching courses.

Past experience
Zenga said: "I am the happiest man on earth. I will coach the best Romanian team and am looking forward to meeting the players, who I know very well." The former Italian international goalkeeper previously coached FC National Bucuresti from 2002-03, guiding them to eighth place in the league and the Romanian Cup final before leaving in December 2003.

One title
Piturca had spent the last four and a half years at Steaua. He took the team to the title in 2000/01, but the closest he came to silverware after that was when Steaua finished as First Division runners-up in the last two campaigns.