No happy return for Stan and Brasov

Ill-fated spell
Stan's resignation brings an end to an ill-fated second spell at the Tineretului stadium. The 50-year-old returned to Brasov from SC Astra Ploiesti nine weeks into the season but managed only two wins in 14 games - leaving Brasov facing the prospect of a relegation play-off. They are fourth bottom of Divizia A and looking for their fourth trainer of the campaign following Ilie Dumitrescu, Adrian Harlab and now Stan.

'Impossible job'
According to Stan, his replacement will have trouble motivating a work-shy squad. "I found it impossible to change the mentality of the players. They don't prepare as they should and always complained that my training sessions were too hard," he said. Stan's assistants, Ferencz Bajko and Andrei Santa, will take charge for Sunday's match against FC Steaua Bucuresti. While a decision on the new coach will be made once the club's majority shareholder, Ioan Nicolaie, returns from the United States.

Success first time round
Stan's previous spell was, by contrast, a success. After a 14th-place finish in 1999/00 - with Brasov avoiding the drop on the last day - Stan led the club to third place the following year and their first UEFA Cup qualification in 27 years. He then joined Astra last summer, only to return to Brasov a few months later. "I don't regret coming back," he insisted.