Claudiu Niculescu
| |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Claudiu Iulian Niculescu | ||
Date of birth | 23 June 1976 | ||
Place of birth | Slatina, Romania | ||
Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Concordia Chiajna (manager) | ||
Youth career | |||
1982–1994 | CSȘ Slatina | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1994–1995 | Jiul IELIF Craiova | 29 | (5) |
1995–1996 | Drobeta-Turnu Severin | 20 | (15) |
1996–1997 | Electroputere Craiova | 48 | (31) |
1998–2001 | Universitatea Craiova | 93 | (41) |
2001–2002 | Dinamo București | 30 | (20) |
2002–2003 | Genoa | 13 | (3) |
2003–2007 | Dinamo București | 123 | (69) |
2008 | MSV Duisburg | 17 | (4) |
2008 | Omonia | 8 | (1) |
2009–2010 | Dinamo București | 38 | (8) |
2010–2012 | Universitatea Cluj | 42 | (18) |
Total | 461 | (215) | |
National team | |||
2000–2007 | Romania | 8 | (0) |
Teams managed | |||
2010 | Universitatea Cluj (player-manager) | ||
2012 | Universitatea Cluj (player-manager) | ||
2012 | Bihor Oradea | ||
2013 | Damila Măciuca | ||
2013–2014 | CSM Râmnicu Vâlcea | ||
2014–2015 | CS Mioveni | ||
2017–2018 | Voluntari | ||
2018 | Dinamo București | ||
2019 | Al-Tai | ||
2020 | CS Mioveni | ||
2021–2022 | Concordia Chiajna | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Claudiu Iulian Niculescu (born 23 June 1976) is a Romanian football coach and former striker.[1] From January 2021, he is the head coach of Liga II side Concordia Chiajna.
Club career[]
"Claudiu is one of the strikers with the highest qualities I have ever met."
–José Ramón Alexanko, former Universitatea Craiova manager[1]
Claudiu Niculescu was born in Slatina and started playing football at the youth club CSȘ Slatina, alongside Ionel Dănciulescu, Ionuț Luțu and Augustin Chiriță, being coached by Ion Pârvulescu.[2][3][4] He started his senior career playing at Jiul IELIF Craiova in Divizia B, after which he played for one season for Drobeta-Turnu Severin in Divizia C, returning for the following one season and a half to play in Divizia B at Electroputere Craiova.[1][2] Niculescu made his Divizia A debut on 1 March 1998, playing for Universitatea Craiova under Spanish coach José Ramón Alexanko in a 2–1 victory against Petrolul Ploiești in which he scored one goal.[1][2] He spent three years and a half at Universitatea Craiova, scoring 41 goals in 93 Divizia A matches, appearing in two games without scoring in the 2000–01 UEFA Cup and also reaching two Cupa României finals.[2][5][6] In his first season with Dinamo Bucharest, he won the Divizia A title and was the second top-goalscorer of the league with 15 goals.[2][7] In 2002 Niculescu was transferred to Genoa in the Italian Second Division.[2] After half of a season, Niculescu returned to Dinamo Bucharest, winning the championship title in 2003–04.[2] In the 2004–05 season he shared with Gheorghe Bucur the top goalscorer of Divizia A title, forming a couple in Dinamo's offence with Ionel Dănciulescu, the Romanian press calling them the "N&D couple", a nickname inspired from the first letters of their family name and the Romanian pop band "N&D".[7][8][9][10] In the 2006–07 season, Niculescu won another championship title with Dinamo and became the top scorer of the league with 18 goals, four of these were scored in a match against rivals Rapid Bucharest.[2][7][11] He was the second best goal-scorer in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup with eight goals, three less than Espanyol's Walter Pandiani.[12][13] He played 43 matches and scored 18 goals for Dinamo in European matches, being the player with the most matches played and top scorer in European competitions for the club.[14] In January 2008, Niculescu was transferred by Dinamo at MSV Duisburg for 700.000€, where he was teammate with fellow Romanians Mihai Tararache and Iulian Filipescu, playing 15 Bundesliga matches in which he scored 4 goals, but at the end of the season he was transferred in Cyprus at Omonia.[2][15][16][17] In 2009 he returned for a third spell at Dinamo which lasted one year and a half, after which he went to play for two seasons at Universitatea Cluj where he ended his playing career.[2][18][19][20] Niculescu was a striker skilled in free kicks, being nicknamed "Lunetistul" (The Sniper) by the Romanian press.[21] Claudiu Niculescu is 11th in an all-time ranking for the goalscorers in Liga I, with 156 goals scored in 326 matches played.[2][21]
International career[]
Claudiu Niculescu played 8 games at international level for Romania, making his debut when coach László Bölöni sent him on the field in order to replace Marius Niculae in the 81st minute of a friendly which ended with a 2–1 victory against FR Yugoslavia.[22][23] He also played two games at the 2006 World Cup qualifiers and one at the Euro 2008 qualifiers.[22]
Career statistics[]
International[]
Romania | ||
Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|
2000 | 1 | 0 |
2001 | 0 | 0 |
2002 | 2 | 0 |
2003 | 0 | 0 |
2004 | 0 | 0 |
2005 | 2 | 0 |
2006 | 2 | 0 |
2007 | 1 | 0 |
Total | 8 | 0 |
Coaching career[]
His first experience as a coach was in November 2010 for two matches at Universitatea Cluj, where he was at the same time an active player.[24] His second experience as a coach started in March 2012 which was also at Universitatea Cluj and also being in the same time an active player.[25] In 15 games under his command, the club won four games, draw in six and lost five. Niculescu resigned after the first game of the 2012–13 season, a loss at Pandurii Târgu Jiu: 6–2.[26]
On 25 September 2012, Niculescu was installed as the head coach of Liga II team Bihor Oradea with an objective to help the team promote to the first division.[27] In December, Niculescu ended his contract, after only eight games (two wins, three draws and three losses).[28]
In January 2013, Niculescu took over Damila Măciuca, in Liga II.[29]
September 2018, Niculescu was appointed coach of Dinamo București, following the dismissal of Florin Bratu. He signed a contract until 2020.[30]
On 7 January 2021, Niculescu signed a contract with Liga II side Concordia Chiajna.[31]
Managerial statistics[]
- Updated as of 7 May 2021[32]
Team | From | To | Record | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win % | |||
![]() |
9 November 2010 | 18 November 2010 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0.00 |
![]() |
5 March 2012 | 27 July 2012 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 23 | 26.67 |
![]() |
11 September 2012 | 13 December 2012 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 27.27 |
![]() |
10 January 2013 | 29 June 2013 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 7 | 66.67 |
![]() |
5 August 2013 | 27 April 2014 | 25 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 29 | 23 | 40.00 |
![]() |
7 July 2014 | 19 October 2015 | 45 | 22 | 11 | 12 | 64 | 40 | 48.89 |
![]() |
3 April 2017 | 14 April 2018 | 47 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 48 | 57 | 34.04 |
![]() |
24 September 2018 | 13 October 2018 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 33.33 |
![]() |
15 June 2019 | 30 October 2019 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 45.45 |
![]() |
2 March 2020 | 27 October 2020 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 29.41 |
![]() |
8 January 2021 | present | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 45.45 |
Total | 199 | 79 | 57 | 63 | 243 | 204 | 39.70 |
Personal life[]
Claudiu Niculescu's brothers Mihai and Dragoș and his cousin Ovidiu were footballers in the Romanian lower leagues.[3][33] His father Marin was a football coach in the Romanian lower leagues.[3][33] In 1998 he married Lidia and they had together two kids, Alexandru and Rebecca.[34][35] They divorced in 2006.[35][36] In June 2007, he married Diana Munteanu who was a TV host, their wedding was considered the wedding of the year by the Romanian press.[37] Together they had a son named David Cristian.[37][38] Claudiu and Diana divorced in 2014.[39]
Honours[]
Player[]
Universitatea Craiova
- Cupa României runner-up: 1997–98, 1999–2000[5][6]
Dinamo București
- Divizia A: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2006–07[2]
- Cupa României: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05[2]
- Supercupa României: 2005[2]
Individual[]
Manager[]
Voluntari
References[]
- ^ a b c d "Claugol:"Pune-mi zidul şi dau şi acum gol din lovitură liberă!"" [Claugol: "Put a wall and I'm still scoring from a free kick!"] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Claudiu Niculescu at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian) and StatisticsFootball.com
- ^ a b c "Slatina: Fraţii Niculescu se luptă cu tatăl lor pentru promovare" [Slatina: Brothers Niculescu are fighting with their father for promotion] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Antrenorul care a descoperit cuplul N&D dezvăluie: "Niculescu şi Dănciulescu erau stelişti pînă în măduva oaselor"" [The coach who discovered the N&D couple reveals: "Niculescu and Dănciulescu were Steaua fans to the bone"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Romanian Cup – Season 1997–1998". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Romanian Cup – Season 1999–2000". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Topscorers of Liga 1". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Antrenorul care a descoperit cuplul N&D dezvăluie: "Niculescu şi Dănciulescu erau stelişti pînă în măduva oaselor"" [The coach who discovered the N&D couple reveals: "Niculescu and Dănciulescu were Steaua fans to the bone"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "EXCLUSIV VIDEO Dezvăluiri la GSP Live. Care a fost secretul faimosului cuplu N&D: "Ne simțeam, nu trebuia să vorbim, nu trebuia să ridicăm privirea"" [VIDEO EXCLUSIVE GSP Live Disclosures. What was the secret of the famous N&D couple: "We felt each other, we didn't have to talk, we didn't have to look up at each other"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Ce atac la CLUJ! N&D canta din nou: Danciulescu negociaza cu U Cluj!" [What an attack at CLUJ! N&D sings again: Danciulescu negotiates with U Cluj!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ "Rapid 1-4 Dinamo, 4 goluri Niculescu" [Rapid 1-4 Dinamo, 4 goals Niculescu] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 22 April 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu, in topul golgheterilor Cupei UEFA" [Claudiu Niculescu, in the top of the goalscorers of the UEFA Cup] (in Romanian). Evz.ro. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu - pe locul 2 in Cupa UEFA" [Claudiu Niculescu - second place in the UEFA Cup] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ a b c "VIDEO+FOTO Claudiu Niculescu, legenda vie a lui Dinamo, împlinește azi 43 de ani! 15 borne ale unei cariere de excepție: cifre UNICE în atacul "câinilor" + momente memorabile, în teren și pe bancă" [VIDEO + PHOTO Claudiu Niculescu, the living legend of Dinamo, turns 43 today! 15 milestones of an exceptional career: UNIQUE figures in the attack of the "dogs" + memorable moments, on the field and on the bench] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu a semnat un contract pana in iunie 2009 cu MSV Duisburg" [Claudiu Niculescu signed a contract until June 2009 with MSV Duisburg] (in Romanian). Mediafax.ro. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Clau-gol la Duisburg" [Clau-goal at Duisburg] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu a semnat cu Omonia Nicosia" [Claudiu Niculescu signed with Omonia Nicosia] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Niculescu s-a întors: "Sînt fericit dar voi fi şi mai şi cînd voi semna cu echipa mea de suflet" :)" [Niculescu came back: "I am happy but I will be even more so when I sign with the team of my soul" :)] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu a fost prezentat oficial la Dinamo si va avea numarul 99 pe tricou" [Claudiu Niculescu was officially presented at Dinamo and will have the number 99 on his shirt] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu s-a transferat la "U" Cluj" [Claudiu Niculescu transferred to "U" Cluj] (in Romanian). Antena3.ro. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ a b "S-a retras "Lunetistul" » 10 repere din cariera lui Claudiu Niculescu" ["The sniper" retired »10 landmarks from Claudiu Niculescu's career] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 24 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Claudiu Niculescu". European Football. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Romania - Yugoslavia 2:1". European Football. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu, la primul antrenament ca interimar la "U" Cluj! "Sunt capabil să-mi mobilizez colegii"" (in Romanian). adevarul.ro. 14 March 2012.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu este noul antrenor al lui "U" Cluj" (in Romanian). stirileprotv.ro. 14 March 2012.
- ^ "Niculescu a demisionat de la U Cluj: "Am fost jignit"" (in Romanian). gsp.ro. 23 July 2012.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu a ajuns la Oradea şi a condus primul antrenament la FC Bihor" (in Romanian). fcbihor.ro. 25 September 2012.
- ^ "FC Bihor s-a despărţit de antrenorul Claudiu Niculescu" (in Romanian). fcbihor.ro. 13 December 2012.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu, antrenor principal" (in Romanian). fcdamila.ro. 3 January 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013.
- ^ Apostol, Eduard; Gafiuc, Justin; Vrînceanu, Victor (23 September 2018). "GALERIE FOTO OFICIAL Niculescu a semnat cu Dinamo! Staff-ul noului antrenor, detaliile contractului, imagini de la RIN". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ "Bun venit, Claudiu Niculescu". csconcordia.ro (in Romanian). 8 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Claudiu Niculescu at Soccerway
- ^ a b "Fraţii lui Niculescu din Liga a III-a: "Claudiu, hai acasă!"" [Niculescu's brothers from the Third League: "Claudiu, come home!"] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu, parasit de sotie" [Claudiu Niculescu, left by his wife] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.antena3.ro. 12 February 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Iată ce frumoasă s-a făcut Lidia, fosta soţie a lui Claudiu Niculescu!" [Look how beautiful is Lidia, Claudiu Niculescu's ex-wife!] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 26 December 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "EXCLUSIV Fosta soție a lui Claudiu Niculescu face eforturi uriașe ca să-şi poată creşte copiii" [EXCLUSIVE The former wife of Claudiu Niculescu makes huge efforts to raise her children] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Totul despre relaţia şi căsnicia dintre Claudiu şi Diana Niculescu" [Everything about the relationship and marriage between Claudiu and Diana Niculescu] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "S-au înţeles în privinţa copilului, nu şi la bani. Diana Munteanu și Claudiu Niculescu au probleme în a împărți averea EXCLUSIV" [They agreed upon the child, but upon not the money. Diana Munteanu and Claudiu Niculescu have trouble splitting their wealth EXCLUSIVELY] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Claudiu Niculescu, despre despărţirea de Diana Munteanu: "Am divorţat pentru că..."" [Claudiu Niculescu, about the separation from Diana Munteanu: "We divorced because ..."] (in Romanian). Apropotv.ro. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
External links[]
- Claudiu Niculescu at National-Football-Teams.com
- Claudiu Niculescu at WorldFootball.net
- Claudiu Niculescu at Soccerway
- 1976 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Slatina, Romania
- Romanian footballers
- Association football forwards
- FC Drobeta-Turnu Severin players
- FC U Craiova 1948 players
- FC Dinamo București players
- MSV Duisburg players
- Genoa C.F.C. players
- AC Omonia players
- FC Universitatea Cluj players
- Liga I players
- Liga II players
- Liga III players
- Bundesliga players
- Serie B players
- Cypriot First Division players
- Romanian expatriate footballers
- Expatriate footballers in Italy
- Expatriate footballers in Germany
- Expatriate footballers in Cyprus
- Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus
- Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia
- Romania international footballers
- Romanian football managers
- FC Universitatea Cluj managers
- FC Bihor Oradea managers
- CS Sportul Snagov managers
- CS Mioveni managers
- FC Voluntari managers
- FC Dinamo București managers
- Al-Ta'ee managers
- CS Concordia Chiajna managers
- Saudi First Division League managers
- Expatriate football managers in Saudi Arabia