Mirel Rădoi

Mirel Rădoi, born on March 22, 1981, is a distinguished Romanian football manager and former professional player. His career began in 1999 at Extensiv Craiova, where he showcased his skills as a defensive midfielder and centre-back. In 2000, he made a significant move to Steaua București, where he spent eight and a half seasons, solidifying his reputation in Romanian football.

After his successful tenure in the capital, Rădoi continued his career abroad, playing for clubs such as Al-Hilal, Al-Ain, Al-Ahli, and Al-Arabi. His international career was equally impressive, earning sixty-eight caps for the Romanian national team and representing his country at the UEFA Euro 2008.

Transitioning from player to coach, Rădoi took on his first managerial role at Steaua București in 2015, where he remained for six months. In 2018, he was appointed head coach of the Romania under-21 national team, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2019 UEFA European Championship. This achievement paved the way for his promotion to the senior national team in November 2019, although his tenure there lasted two years with mixed results.