Politehnica presented today, in a press conference, the club’s new sporting director, Paul Codrea, and the head of the scouting department, Iosif Rotariu, former great Romanian internationals and former Politehnica players.

Statements by Costel Pantilimon, Paul Codrea and Iosif Rotariu:

Paul Codrea

He was born on 4 April 1981, in Timișoara. He started his career at LPS Banatul Timișoara, transferring to Dinamo when he was still a junior. He also made his debut for the capital club in Division A, before his 16th birthday!!! In 1998 he came to Politehnica Timișoara, with Iosif Rotariu as coach-player. After a period at FC Argeș, he went to Italy, where he played for 12 years. At Genoa, Palermo, Perugia, Torino, Siena and Bari! His last club was Rapid, in 2012. He played 44 games for Romania’s national team (1 goal), also playing alongside Pantilimon. He started his coaching career in 2013 at ASU Politehnica Timișoara. Until now he was the coach of the youth group n. 2007 at the white-violet club, a position he will continue to hold until the end of this season.

Photo: Codrea and Robben at the Euro 2008 final tournament (author: Cosmin Dan)

Iosif Rotariu

He was born on 27 September 1962 in Prigor (Caras-Severin county). He played for Politehnica Timișoara, Steaua, Galatasaray, Bakirköyspor, Adanaspor, CFR Timișoara, OFK Kikinda, Extensiv Craiova, FC Bihor, ASU Politehnica Timișoara, among others. A defensive midfielder, with Steaua he won the European Super Cup in 1987, reached the final of the 1989 UEFA European Championship, and with the national team was at the 1990 World Cup, where he “held” Maradona in the Romania – Argentina 1-1 match. He has 25 caps and one goal for the “tricolori”. He played until he was 51!!! He was also a coach, among other things assistant coach of the Romanian national team and head coach of FCU Politehnica Timișoara in League I (including Pantilimon). He has a twin brother, Ilie, who also played in Division A at Politehnica Timișoara (father of current international Dorin Rotariu).

Photo: Rotariu and Maradona at the Coppa del Mondo Italia ’90 final tournament