Nicolae Ungureanu

Last updated

Nicolae Ungureanu
Nicolae Ungureanu.jpg
Personal information
Date of birth (1956-10-11) 11 October 1956 (age 69)
Place of birth Craiova, Romania
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position Left back
Youth career
1973–1975 CSȘ Craiova
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1975–1977 Electroputere Craiova
1977–1987 Universitatea Craiova 284 (17)
1987–1992 Steaua București 136 (10)
1992–1993 Rapid București 17 (2)
1993–1994 Pandurii Târgu Jiu
Total437(29)
International career
1981–1989 Romania 56 (1)
Managerial career
1993–1994 Pandurii Târgu Jiu
1994 Electroputere Craiova
1996–1997 Drobeta-Turnu Severin
2001 FC Universitatea Craiova
2001 Internațional Pitești
2004 Oltul Slatina
2004–2006 FC Caracal
2006 Pandurii Târgu Jiu
2006 FC Universitatea Craiova (assistant)
2007 FC Caracal
2008–2009 Internațional Curtea de Argeș (assistant)
2012 Minerul Mătăsari
2013 FC Podari
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Nicolae Ungureanu (born 11 October 1956) is a Romanian former professional footballer who played as a defender.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Ungureanu, nicknamed "Roșu" (Red) because his face was turning red from physical effort, was born on 11 October 1956 in Craiova, Romania. [1] [2] [3] He began playing junior-level football in 1973 at CSȘ Craiova. [1] He started playing senior-level football in 1975 at Divizia B club Electroputere Craiova. [1] [2] [4]

Universitatea Craiova

In 1977 he went to play for Universitatea Craiova, making his Divizia A debut on 21 August under coach Constantin Deliu in 3–0 home win over Sportul Studențesc București. [1] [5] Ungureanu spent 10 seasons with Universitatea, being part of the "Craiova Maxima" generation that won two consecutive league titles in 1980 and 1981. [1] [2] [3] [6] [7] In each season he played 34 matches and scored one goal under coaches Valentin Stănescu and Ion Oblemenco respectively. [1] [2] [7] He also won the Cupa României three times, playing in all the finals, which were a victory against Olimpia Satu Mare and two wins over Politehnica Timișoara. [1] [8]

Ungureanu played 43 games and scored one goal for "U" Craiova in European competitions. [1] In the second round of the 1979–80 UEFA Cup he played in both legs of the 4–0 aggregate win over Leeds United, thus Universitatea became the first Romanian club that eliminated a team from England in European competitions. [1] [9] Afterwards, they reached the quarter-finals of the 1981–82 European Cup after eliminating Olympiacos and Kjøbenhavns Boldklub, being eliminated with 3–1 on aggregate by Bayern Munich. [1] [10] He made nine appearances in the 1982–83 UEFA Cup campaign, with Ungureanu scoring once in a 3–1 win over Fiorentina, which helped them reach the semi-finals where they were eliminated by Benfica on the away goal rule after 1–1 on aggregate. [1] [2] [6] [11] Ungureanu played in a 3–0 win over AS Monaco in the second leg of the first round of the 1985–86 European Cup Winners' Cup, after losing the first leg 2–0. [1] [12] However, they were eliminated in the following round by the eventual winners of the competition, Dynamo Kyiv. [1] [12]

Steaua București

In 1987, he joined Steaua București and won the title in his first season with coach Anghel Iordănescu, appearing in 24 league matches in which he scored four goals. [1] [7] The team also reached the semi-finals of the European Cup where they lost to Benfica. [1] [13] In the following season, they won The Double, Ungureanu playing 31 league matches and scoring once under Iordănescu, but he did not play in the 1–0 win over Dinamo București in the Cupa României final. [1] [2] [7] [14] In the same season he helped the club reach the 1988–89 European Cup final, playing nine games in the campaign, including the final which was lost 4–0 to AC Milan. [1] [15] [16] His last trophy won with Steaua was the 1992–93 Cupa României, as coach Victor Pițurcă used him as a starter in the penalty shoot-out victory against Politehnica Timișoara in the final. [1] [17]

Late career

In 1992, Ungureanu went to play for Rapid București. [1] There, he made his last Divizia A appearance on 21 March 1993 in a 5–0 loss to Universitatea Cluj, having a total of 437 matches with 29 goals in the competition, also totaling 71 games with one goal in European competitions. [1] [3] [18] Subsequently, he was a player-coach during the 1993–94 Divizia C season at Pandurii Târgu Jiu. [19]

International career

Ungureanu played 56 matches and scored one goal for Romania, making his debut on 8 April 1981 under coach Valentin Stănescu in a 2–1 friendly loss to Israel. [20] [21] He played seven games in the successful Euro 1984 qualifiers, including a 1–0 victory against World Cup holders Italy. [20] [22] Coach Mircea Lucescu used him for the entirety of all three games in the final tournament which were a draw against Spain and losses to West Germany and Portugal, as his side failed to progress from their group. [20] [23] Subsequently, he played seven games in the 1986 World Cup qualifiers and five matches with one goal scored in a 3–1 victory against Spain during the Euro 1988 qualifiers. [20] Ungureanu's last appearance took place on 15 November 1989 in a 3–1 home win over Denmark in the 1990 World Cup qualifiers. [20]

For representing his country at the Euro 1984 final tournament, Ungureanu was decorated by President of Romania Traian Băsescu on 25 March 2008 with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" – (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class III. [24]

International goals

Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ungureanu goal.
List of international goals scored by Nicolae Ungureanu [20]
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
129 April 1987 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, RomaniaFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 3–03–1 Euro 1988 qualifiers

Managerial career

Ungureanu started coaching during the 1993–94 Divizia C season, being a player-coach at Pandurii Târgu Jiu. [19] In 1994 he had his first Divizia A experience, being head coach at Electroputere Craiova. [25] [26] He would go on to have two more spells in the Romanian first league, with the first being in 2001 at FC Universitatea Craiova and the second in 2006 at Pandurii, totaling 32 matches in the competition. [19] [26] [25] However, he spent most of his coaching career in the Romanian lower leagues for teams such as Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Internațional Pitești, Oltul Slatina, FC Caracal, Minerul Mătăsari and FC Podari. [19] [27] He also worked as an assistant coach at "U" Craiova and Internațional Curtea de Argeș. [19] [28]

Personal life

In 2003, Ungureanu received the Honorary Citizen of Craiova title. [29]

Honours

Player

Universitatea Craiova

Steaua București

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Nicolae Ungureanu at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Află poveștile jucătorilor legendari din Cupa României: Nicolae Ungureanu. Trambulina Craiovei Maxima" [Find out the stories of legendary players from the Romanian Cup: Nicolae Ungureanu. Trambulina Craiova Maxima] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Un fost mare jucător al Universității Craiova surprinde: "Vreau să ia FCSB campionatul! Oltenii mei sunt prea emotivi"" [A former great player of the Universitatea Craiova surprises: "I want FCSB to win the championship! My Olteni fans are too emotional"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  4. ↑ "Nicolae Ungureanu, fotbaliști de legendă" [Nicolae Ungureanu, legendary footballers] (in Romanian). Tikitaka.ro. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  5. ↑ "Universitatea Craiova vs Sportul Studențesc 3-0". Labtof. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Cum a ratat Craiova Maxima finala vieții: "Du-te la facultate, du-te la ăla, du-te la ălălalt, eram căpiați"" [How Craiova Maxima missed the final of her life: "Go to college, go to that one, go to that one, we were screwed"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Romania National Champions". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "Romanian Cup – Season 1977–1978". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Romanian Cup – Season 1980–1981". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Romanian Cup – Season 1982–1983". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "38 de ani de la o performanță senzațională! Universitatea Craiova, prima echipă din România care elimina o grupare din Anglia" [38 years since a sensational performance! Universitatea Craiova, the first team in Romania to eliminate a group from England] (in Romanian). Orangesport.ro. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Au trecut 43 de ani de la Leeds United – Universitatea Craiova 0-2. Amintirile lui Aurel Beldeanu: "M-au aplaudat și englezii". Exclusiv" [43 years have passed since Leeds United – Universitatea Craiova 0-2. Aurel Beldeanu's memories: "The English applauded me too." Exclusive] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nicolae Ungureanu. UEFA Cup 1979/1980". WorldFootball. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Nicolae Ungureanu. Champions League 1981/1982". WorldFootball. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  11. ↑ "EXCLUSIV. Dezvăluiri explozive despre cum "i-a luat" naționala calificarea Craiovei Maxima în finala Cupei UEFA : "S-au făcut multe greșeli după România-Italia"" [EXCLUSIVE. Explosive revelations about how the national team "took away" Craiova Maxima's qualification for the UEFA Cup final: "Many mistakes were made after Romania-Italy"] (in Romanian). Playsport.ro. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nicolae Negrilă. UEFA Cup 1982/1983". WorldFootball. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  12. 1 2 "După 39 de ani, Universitatea Craiova încearcă o altă remontada europeană de la 0-2. Cine a fost eroul din 1985 al oltenilor" [After 39 years, Universitatea Craiova is trying another European comeback from 0-2. Who was the 1985 hero of the Oltenians] (in Romanian). Ziuaconstanta.ro. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Francezii nu au uitat că Universitatea Craiova i-a făcut de rușine! France Football şi-a adus aminte de oltenii care o umileau pe AS Monaco! Video" [The French have not forgotten that Universitatea Craiova put them to shame! France Football remembered the Oltenians who humiliated AS Monaco! Video] (in Romanian). Ziuaconstanta.ro. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nicolae Ungureanu. Cup Winners Cup 1985/1986". WorldFootball. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  13. ↑ "Meciul DE AUR al generatiei de la Sevilla! Cum a ratat Steaua finala SUPREMA cu Real Madrid. Gica Popescu a ucis visul" [The GOLDEN match of the generation from Sevilla! How Steaua missed the SUPREMA final with Real Madrid. Gica Popescu killed the dream] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nicolae Ungureanu. Champions League 1987/1988". WorldFootball. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  14. ↑ "Romanian Cup – Season 1988–1989". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Steaua – Ac Milan 1988". UEFA . Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Episodul 5: Finala Cupei Campionilor 1989. Steaua a driblat mai mult la 0-4 cu AC Milan, dar a făcut doar 10 faulturi și a fost ucisă pe contraatac!" [Episode 5: Champions Cup Final 1989. The star dribbled more at 0-4 with AC Milan, but only committed 10 fouls and was killed on the counter-attack!] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nicolae Ungureanu. Champions League 1988/1989". WorldFootball. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  17. ↑ "Romanian Cup – Season 1991–1992". Romaniansoccer.ro. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  18. ↑ "Nicolae Ungureanu spune că Universitatea Craiova are nevoie de 4 achiziții pentru a se bate la titlu: "N-avem jucători care să facă diferența"" [Nicolae Ungureanu says that Universitatea Craiova needs 4 acquisitions to fight for the title: "We don't have players who can make a difference"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nicolae Ungureanu 1992/93". Labtof. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Universitatea Cluj vs Rapid București 5-0". Labtof. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nicolae Ungureanu". Fotbalisti Romani. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Nicolae Ungureanu". European Football. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  21. ↑ "Israel 2-1 Romania". European Football. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  22. ↑ "Episodul 2: România - Italia 1-0, în preliminariile pentru CE '84. Am răpus Italia cu un Balaci fenomenal: 5-0 cu Gentile, 8-3 cu Bruno Conti" [Episode 2: Romania - Italy 1-0, in the preliminaries for CE '84 »I defeated Italy with a phenomenal Balaci: 5-0 with Gentile, 8-3 with Bruno Conti] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  23. ↑ "Generația EURO 84, chemată la raport după turneul final. "Ne-a spus că am jucat sub orice critică! Credeam că vine șeful și ne curăță"" [EURO 84 generation, called to report after the final tournament. "He told us we played under any criticism! I thought the boss was coming and cleaning us up."] (in Romanian). Playsport.ro. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Povestea României la primul Euro, din 1984: am lăsat Italia acasă! Fără niciun stelist, cu cel mai tânăr selecţioner pe bancă şi debutul lui Hagi la un turneu final la doar 19 ani" [Romania's story at the first Euro, from 1984: we left Italy at home! Without any Steaua player, with the youngest coach on the bench and Hagi's debut at a final tournament at only 19 years old] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "EURO 1984: România intră "pe marile bulevarde ale fotbalului". 33 de ani de la golul lui Boloni cu Italia, surprizele lui Lucescu pentru EURO" [EURO 1984: Romania enters "the great boulevards of football". 33 years since Boloni's goal against Italy, Lucescu's surprises for the EURO] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  24. ↑ "DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv" (PDF). Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241. 28 March 2008. p. 3. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
    "Decorarea unor personalități ale fotbalului românesc". Administrația Prezidențială. 25 March 2008. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  25. 1 2 "Craiova: EXCLUSIV: Nae Ungureanu, noul director tehnic al Științei" [Craiova: EXCLUSIVE: Nae Ungureanu, the new technical director of Știința] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  26. 1 2 "Nicolae Ungureanu". Labtof. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  27. ↑ "Ungureanu, antrenor la FC Caracal" [Ungureanu, coach at FC Caracal] (in Romanian). Gds.ro. 12 March 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Victorie la limită pentru ALRO împotriva Mătăsariului" [Victorie at the limit for ALRO against Mătăsari] (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nicolae Ungureanu, director tehnic la FC Podari" [Nicolae Ungureanu, technical director at FC Podari] (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nae Ungureanu, antrenor la Podari" [Nae Ungureanu, coach at Podari] (in Romanian). Saptamana.net. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "FC Podari, primul antrenament cu Nicolae Ungureanu" [FC Podari, first training with Nicolae Ungureanu] (in Romanian). Digi24.ro. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  28. ↑ "Curtea de Argeș începe pregătirea pentru Liga I. Află totul despre echipă!" [Curtea de Argeș begins preparations for Liga I. Find out everything about the team!] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
    "Nae Ungureanu: Nu poți refuza Universitatea!" [Nae Ungureanu: You can't refuse Universitatea!] (in Romanian). Gds.ro. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  29. ↑ "Cetățeni de onoare ai Craiovei" [Honorary citizens of Craiova] (in Romanian). Primariacraiova.ro. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.