Former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga has taken over as Steaua Bucharest coach just hours after Victor Piturca quit the post.
"Zenga has agreed to coach Steaua Bucharest," the Romanian club's main shareholder Gigi Becali told reporters today. "Piturca failed to come to the stadium and coach the team this morning and I consider that he has already left."
Zenga's appointment three days before the start of the season follows a bitter row between Becali and Piturca over the make up of the squad. Becali did not disclose any financial details of Zenga's deal with his new club, which will be signed on Friday.
"Zenga agreed by telephone from Italy to take over at Steaua in less than 10 minutes," Becali said. Steau start the new first division campaign at home to Gloria Bistrita on Sunday. Midfielder Dorinel Munteanu, who has played 119 times for Romania, will take up a role as player/deputy coach under Zenga.
Zenga is returning to Romania after having coached National Bucharest for a season and a half in 2002 and 2003. He won 58 caps for Italy from 1986 to 1992 and played in the World Cups of 1986 and 1990, when he wa s voted the world's best goalkeeper.
Under Piturca the 1986 European champions have failed to win the title or the Romanian Cup over the past three seasons. Piturca's departure comes days after Basarab Panduru quit as Poli AEK Timisoara coach and was replaced by Dumitru Dumitriu.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
