Ioan Sdrobis is an important name in Romanian football in recent decades, a coach who coaches several national football teams. Having reached the age of 77, the so-called “father” talked about several peaks that Mircea Lucescu would have achieved during the time when he was coaching in Romania.

Ioan Sdrobish, about the offer received from Jean Pedurianu to train Gloria Bistrytsa

In an interview with “Prosport”, Sdrobish talks about behind-the-scenes games in Romanian football, the ex-mentor explains why he refused Zhan Pedurian.

“Sir, let me tell you something first. After the revolution, Jean Pedurianu wanted to make me a coach in Bystrica. He approached me like this: Yoan, I love you very much, don’t you want to come to me?

Well mate, can you work with Sdrobis? You don’t even need a coach.

Of course, I refused him, but for some reason I was glad of his offer as a gesture of gratitude for my work. That’s how I was: I couldn’t stand counters, sold out. And I suffered because of it. But you know what he told me once?

Well, John, we wouldn’t exist if we didn’t do these things. I couldn’t resist the system.

However, aside from all the behind-the-scenes stuff, he was a common-sense, civilized guy. In fact, he took over Lucescu’s cooperative, handed it over to Stefan (approx. Gheorghe Ștefan – called Pinalti) and so on”- Ioan Sdrobisfor Prosport.

About the involvement of Mircea Lucescu in the so-called counters

“Father” continued his exposure and did not forget Mircea Lucescu. Sdrobis says he respects Il Luce as a coach only because of what he did in Turkey and Ukraine.

However, he cannot appreciate Mircea Lucescu, who coached in the Romanian championship.

Moreover, Sdrobis spoke to the subject and preached about two matches that could have been the best: Ocellul vs Dynamo 3-3 in June 1987 and ChSM Resitsa vs Rapid 1-6 in November 1997.

“I forgave him. I have many flaws, but I also have two qualities: I loved my work and I know how to forgive.

When Lucescu came with the players to our cabin, I felt like I was dying. They also determined the minutes in which a goal must be scored in order for Kemataru to become the author of the goal (the figure refers to the match between Ocellul and Dynamo in 1987).

I was summoned to the commander of the Galatsia militia: Nelula, take care of yourself, see how you are doing!

They used economic controls to go after the leaders, and they stood still, after which Lucescu appeared in our dressing room. I will never forget for the rest of my life what he did to me in that match. How to become European champion with tops made in Romania?” – Ioan Sdrobis.

“I lived my matches with Lucescu, and that was enough for me. Are you dying with these brains? Do you realize what nightmares poor Lucescu will have before his death?

Well, don’t you have nightmares when you walked up to the booth in Oțelul and told them: this is going to be the bill?

I have 40 years of career, but I have never allowed myself something like this. Someone once asked Lucescu if he would return to Romania, and he replied that he would not because Sdrobis was arguing with him.

I do not argue with him at all! On the contrary, I forgave him, I respected his value and results in Turkey and Ukraine, but in Romania I cannot say the same, because I know what he did here” – Ioan Sdrobis.

Then the “father” opened the match CSM Reșita – Rapid 1-6, from November 1997. At the end of that season, Giulești lost the Romanian title to Stela.

“About six of my players did what they did with the management. It was clear. 0-1, 1-1 Claudio Balaci is a bomb, then the guy got a red card and it was all over: 1-2, 1-3…1-6.

In his youth, Panku didn’t even know when to stop. With the score 1-3, Lupu showed Lucescu from the field. I went straight to his bank: Hey, you beat me up with the police in Galatasaray, now you’re leaving with Kopos’ money?”, he concluded. Sdrobiş.

Who is Ioan Sdrobis

Born on April 9, 1946 in Bacau, Ioan Sdrobis is one of Romania’s most experienced coaches in recent decades.

With the nickname “Father”, Sdrobis coached teams Oțelul Galați, U Cluj, Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț, Selena Bacău, Dacia Unirea Brăila, Maramureș Baia Mare, Extensiv Craiova, CSM Reșița, Diplomatic Focșani, Midia Năvodari, Jiul Petroșani, FC Vaslui, CFR Timisoara, Jul Petroshani, Farul Konstanza and Dynamo Onesti (ended his coaching career in 2014).