Steaua hero Lăcătuş accepts coach role

Popular figure
Lăcătuş has become Steaua's third coach of the season after Pedrazzini stepped aside as the temporary replacement for Gheorghe Hagi, who resigned in September. As the most decorated player in the history of the club - with ten league titles, seven Romanian Cups, three Romanian Supercups, a UEFA Supercup and the European Champion Clubs' Cup to his name - the 43-year-old is a popular figure among Steaua supporters.

Coaching pedigree
Lăcătuş began his coaching career as assistant at FC National Bucureşti in 2000, before joining the coaching staff of the Panama national side. He subsequently took over at FC Brasov, guiding his hometown club to third place in Liga 1, before spells with FC Otelul Galati and FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt. Lăcătuş was briefly executive president of Steaua but decided to step down in May 2006 to assume a role as coach at FCM UTA Arad.

'Dream'
"It has always been my dream to coach Steaua," said Lăcătuş, who will be officially presented on Monday. "The club means everything to me. I am happy to have been given this opportunity and I hope to get Steaua back where they belong, at the top of the table." After 12 Liga 1 matches Steaua are in seventh place with 18 points, while they are yet to register a point after three games in UEFA Champions League Group H.