World NewsACL - Al Hilal Turn to Olaroiu |
AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Al Hilal have named former Steaua Bucharest boss Cosmin Olaroiu as their new coach.
Al Hilal media spokesman Ali Al Simrani confirmed the Romanian, who replaces Marcus Paqueta, will begin his one-year contract on July 7."We had several choices to choose from including other Brazilian and European coaches," said Al Simrani. "However, we chose Mr Olaroiu for his good CV regardless of his nationality.
"The football committee decided that he is the best coach because he is a young coach and he will be close to the players. Also he is stern and has a strong personality which will help us a lot.
"We have previously had two Romanian coaches in Ilie Balaci and Anghel Iordanescu and enjoyed great success with them. We hope that will continue with Olaroiu."
The 38-year-old was successful at his former club Steaua after leading them to the Romanian championship and the Romanian Super Cup in 2006.
He started his career with Gloria Buzau in 1989 before playing for MECON Bucharest, Girueta Bucharest, FC National Bucharest and Universitatea Craiova.
In 1997 he joined Korea's Suwon Samsung Bluewings where he spent three seasons before playing one year for Japan's JEF United.
After hanging up his boots in 2000, he coached FC National Bucharest, Steaua and FCU Politehnica Timisoara.
Al Hilal will meet UAE's Al Wahda in the quarter-finals of this year's AFC Champions League and will play the first leg in Abu Dhabi on September 19 before hosting the return match a week later.
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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