Controversy in Romania as Contra calls it quits
ROMANIA have been thrown into chaos ahead of a potential Euro 2020 qualifying play-off against Scotland after manager Cosmin Contra confirmed he is stepping down.
And Dan Petrescu, manager of Celtic’s Europa League Group E rivals Cluj, is among the candidates to replace the departed coach.
Romania are one of four nations Scotland could be paired with in tomorrow’s draw with Bulgaria, Hungary and Israel the other potential opponents.
Should Scotland win that one-off tie, Steve Clarke’s side would face either Norway or Serbia for a place at the finals.
Contra, whose playing career included stints with AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, announced that he would be leaving his post following Romania’s 5-0 hammering in Spain on Monday evening.
He will formally depart when his contract expires in December. them to turn. But those are little things. If they improve on them, they will become better players.”
Clarke feels the improvement shown by John McGinn, who scored a double against Kazakhstan to take his tally for the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign to seven, this year shows that McKenna can fulfil his potential.
“It is a different level,” he said. “It took John a long time to find out the level. I think the little tweak in John’s position, which came from Aston Villa, who stuck him a little bit higher up the pitch, has made a difference. We have utilised it as well. As well as giving us a threat attacking-wise with John arriving in the box, which he is very good at, it also gives us a good high press at times.”
The win over Kazakhstan means that Scotland will go into the play-off semi-final against either Bulgaria, Hungary, Israel or Romania at Hampden on March 26 on the back of a three-game winning streak.
Clarke is unconcerned about who his side are pitted or against in the draw in Nyon tomorrow or whether they are handed a home tie for the final. He knows that maintaining their run of form to five matches is all that matters.
“I don’t think you can afford to look at it like that,” he said. “I think we have to look at who we get in the first game. We know the first game is going to be here at Hampden. So we make sure we are properly prepared for that and then we should know afterwards whether we are home or away.
“It doesn’t matter where we are, whether we are at home or away we have to win. We have to win the first game, we have to get to the second game and then deal with what we get into the second game.”
Contra stated: “I have made the decision not to continue.
“Why? Because I did not reach my goal and I said, if I do not reach my goal, I will leave the national team. “My decision is made and I have communicated to those I needed to.”
As well as Petrescu, current Romania Under-21 head coach Mirel Radoi and national team playing legend Gheorghe Hagi, now in charge of Viitorul, are considered the three standout candidates.