Cartu returns to Universitatea

Sorin Cartu has been appointed coach of Romanian first division side FC Universitatea Craiova for the third time.

Two-year contract
Cartu, a former player with the club, first took charge of the side in 1988, leaving in 1992, and had a second spell from 1995-97. He replaces Emil Sandoi, whose reign ended seven games into the season, and has signed a contract committing him to the club until the summer of 2004.

Short Marcu spell 
Universitatea lie eleventh in the 16-team division, having only secured one point during Dumitru Marcu's two-game spell as caretaker coach. Marcu was sacked on Sunday following a 1-0 home defeat against FC Farul Constanta, even though the visitors had Marcel Abalu sent off 15 minutes from the end.

'It is not acceptable'
Club owner Dinel Staicu said after the game: "It is not acceptable and unbelievable that we lost at home after we played the last 15 minutes with one player more on the field. No, I don't want to believe something like that."

Long-term aim
Cartu, who won the 1990/91 championship with Universitatea and has also coached Romanian second division side FC Extensiv Craiova and Greek team Veria FC admitted his new role would not be easy. "My first aim is to get the team back to a normal sporting and psychological level," he said. "Then next season we will try to qualify for Europe."