Lacatus to take charge of Otelul

Former Romanian international Marius Lacatas is to become the new coach of FC Otelul Galati following the departure of Victor Rosca.

Distinguished career
Lacatus played 84 times for his country, featuring in their FIFA World Cup campaigns of 1990 and 1998 and also EURO 96™. After retiring he became assistant coach of FC Steaua Bucuresti before a six-month stint as coach of FC National Bucuresti in 2000/01. Lacatus subsequently spent half of last year as assistant coach of the Panama national team.

Six-month contract
The 38-year-old is expected to sign a six-month contract with Otelul on Friday, with the option of a further year. He has been promised financial stability, which was a factor in Rosca’s decision to leave the club. Rosca’s contract had not been due to run out until 30 June 2003 but he left after resolving the terms of his contract with the club on Thursday

'Alarm signal'
Rosca took over at Otelul at the start of the season but earlier this week failed to turn up for a friendly match against FC Farul Constanta. Of his no-show, the 47-year-old said:. "I want to give an alarm signal about the preparation conditions and about the financial situation of the club.

'No money'
"I understood that there was no money in order to arrange a training camp and a tournament abroad during this winter period and that's why I lined up a minimum of eight friendly games in Romania. But we cannot leave Galati, because we don't have our own bus. More than that, during the days when we have two training sessions, the club can’t afford to give the players lunch."

No regrets from president
Rosca claimed salaries had not been paid since November 2001 and said bonus payments were still outstanding. Otelul president Mihai Stoica replied by saying: "I do not regret his gesture, because I don't want to work with people who are not looking into your eyes and who act behind your back."