Claudiu Niculescu

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Claudiu Niculescu
Personal information
Full name Claudiu Iulian Niculescu
Date of birth (1976-06-23) 23 June 1976 (age 47)
Place of birth Slatina, Romania
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
1599 Șelimbăr (head coach)
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)
International career
2000–2007 Romania 8 (0)
Managerial career
2010 Universitatea Cluj (caretaker)
2012 Universitatea Cluj (player/coach)
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 Mioveni
2021–2022 Concordia Chiajna
2022 Politehnica Iași
2022– 1599 Șelimbăr
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Claudiu Iulian Niculescu (born 23 June 1976) is a Romanian football coach and former striker. He is currently in charge of Liga II club 1599 Șelimbăr.[1]

Club career[edit]

"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 at 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][5] 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][6][7][8] He spent three years and a half with The Blue Lions, scoring 41 goals in 93 Divizia A matches, appearing in two games without scoring from the 2000–01 UEFA Cup, also reaching two Cupa României finals.[2][6][7][8][9][10]

In 2001 he went to play for Dinamo București where in his first season he won the Divizia A title, being the second top-goalscorer of the league with 15 goals, as coaches Cornel Dinu and Marin Ion gave him 28 appearances.[2][11][12] In 2002, shortly after scoring a spectacular goal from a free kick against goalkeeper Iker Casillas in a friendly which ended with a 5–2 loss against Real Madrid, Niculescu was transferred to Genoa in Serie B for a fee estimated by the Romanian press between €700.000 and €1 million.[2][5][13][14][15][16] He spent only one year with The Griffin, being teammate with compatriots Adrian Mihalcea and Paul Codrea, making only 13 appearances in which he scored three goals as his stay there was affected by injuries, returning to Dinamo who agreed to pay the Genovese team €800.000 to get him back.[2][17][18][19][20] In the first season, following his return to The Red Dogs, he helped them win The Double, contributing with 16 goals scored in the 28 league matches in which he was used by coach Ioan Andone, also scoring the second goal of the 2–0 victory in front of Oțelul Galați from the Cupa României final and giving his contribution to the elimination of Shakhtar Donetsk by scoring a goal in each leg of the 5–2 victory on aggregate from the UEFA Cup.[2][11][21][22] On 21 November 2004, Niculescu was in the center of a controversy when during an away game with his former team, Universitatea Craiova, a fan entered the field and threw a "U" Craiova scarf in his face, after which he screamed:"You are a stinking traitor!", shortly after, his teammate Adrian Mihalcea tackled the fan to the ground.[23][24] In the 2004–05 season he scored 21 goals, including all the goals in a 4–0 with CFR Cluj, sharing 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".[2][12][6][7][8][25][26][27][28] Niculescu started the following season by scoring the final goal of the 3–2 victory against rivals Steaua București which helped the team earn for the first time in its history the Supercupa României, also Andone used him in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup campaign when the team eliminated Everton against whom he scored a goal in a historical 5–2 on aggregate, reaching the group stage where he defeated goalkeeper Fabien Barthez by scoring a goal from a 20 meters free kick in a 2–1 away loss in front of Olympique Marseille.[2][29][30][31][32] In the 2006–07 season under the guidance of coach Mircea Rednic, Niculescu won another championship title with Dinamo and became the top-goalscorer of the league with 18 goals, four of these were scored in a 4–1 against rivals Rapid București and two in a 4–2 victory in a derby against Steaua București.[2][12][6][33][34] With eight goals scored in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, of which four were in the group stage against Beşiktaş, Club Brugge and a double in the 2–1 victory in front of Bayer Leverkusen for which he received a 10 in the Gazeta Sporturilor newspaper, Niculescu was the second best goal-scorer of the competition, having three less than Espanyol's Walter Pandiani, helping The Red Dogs reach the sixteenths-finals where they were eliminated by Benfica.[35][36][37][38][39] In the following season, Dinamo had the objective of reaching the Champions League group stage, Niculescu playing in both legs of the third qualifying round against Lazio Roma, which however was lost with 4–2 on aggregate.[2][40][41][42][43][44]

In January 2008, Niculescu was transferred by Dinamo at MSV Duisburg for 700.000€, where he was wanted by coach Rudi Bommer, being teammate with fellow Romanians Mihai Tararache and Iulian Filipescu, playing 15 Bundesliga matches in which he scored four goals against VfL Wolfsburg, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Bochum and Eintracht Frankfurt but at the end of the season he was transferred in Cyprus at Omonia for 200.000€.[2][5][45][46][47][48][49][50] In 2009 he returned for a third spell at Dinamo which lasted one year and a half, a period in which he helped the club fulfill "The wonder from Liberec" after winning with 3–0 the away game against Slovan Liberec, as the first leg was lost with the same score, qualifying after the penalty shoot-out to the group stage of the 2009–10 Europa League.[2][51][52][53] In the summer of 2010 he went to play for Universitatea Cluj, the highlights of this period being a brace in a 4–3 victory over his former team, Dinamo, then another goal against them in a 2–1 win, also he scored a goal directly from a corner kick in a 1–1 with Astra Ploiești.[2][6][7][8][54][55][56][57] He made his last Liga I appearance on 12 March 2012, playing for "U" Cluj in a 1–0 home loss in front of Steaua.[2][6][7][8] Claudiu Niculescu was a striker skilled in free kicks, being nicknamed "Lunetistul" (The Sniper) by the Romanian press and he is 11th in an all-time ranking for the goalscorers in Liga I with 156 goals scored in 326 matches played, also with 43 games and 18 goals scored for Dinamo in European matches, he is the player with the most appearances and top scorer in European competitions for the club.[2][6][7][8]

International career[edit]

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.[58][59] He also played two games at the 2006 World Cup qualifiers and one at the Euro 2008 qualifiers.[58] Niculescu's last appearance for the national team took place on 22 August 2007 in a 2–0 home win in a friendly with Turkey.[58]

Career statistics[edit]

International[edit]

Romania
Year Apps Goals
2000 1 0
2002 2 0
2005 2 0
2006 2 0
2007 1 0
Total 8 0

Coaching career[edit]

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.[60] 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.[61] 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 6–2 at Pandurii Târgu Jiu.[62]

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.[63] In December, Niculescu ended his contract, after only eight games (two wins, three draws and three losses).[64]

In January 2013, Niculescu took over Damila Măciuca, in Liga II.[65]

September 2018, Niculescu was appointed coach of Dinamo București, following the dismissal of Florin Bratu. He signed a contract until 2020.[66]

On 7 January 2021, Niculescu signed a contract with Liga II side Concordia Chiajna.[67]

Managerial statistics[edit]

Updated as of 21 April 2024[68]
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA Win %
Romania Universitatea Cluj 9 November 2010 18 November 2010 2 0 1 1 1 4 000.00
Romania Universitatea Cluj 5 March 2012 27 July 2012 15 4 6 5 23 23 026.67
Romania FC Bihor 11 September 2012 13 December 2012 11 3 4 4 18 20 027.27
Romania Damila Măciuca 10 January 2013 29 June 2013 12 8 2 2 22 7 066.67
Romania CSM Râmnicu Vâlcea 5 August 2013 27 April 2014 25 10 7 8 29 23 040.00
Romania CS Mioveni 7 July 2014 19 October 2015 45 22 11 12 64 40 048.89
Romania Voluntari 3 April 2017 14 April 2018 47 16 13 18 48 57 034.04
Romania Dinamo Bucuresti 24 September 2018 13 October 2018 3 1 1 1 3 3 033.33
Saudi Arabia Al-Tai 15 June 2019 30 October 2019 11 5 1 5 13 11 045.45
Romania Mioveni 2 March 2020 27 October 2020 17 5 7 5 11 10 029.41
Romania Concordia Chiajna 8 January 2021 1 March 2022 31 16 9 6 35 22 051.61
Romania Politehnica Iași 7 June 2022 10 October 2022 10 6 2 2 14 8 060.00
Romania 1599 Șelimbăr 7 November 2022 present 38 19 10 9 45 33 050.00
Total 267 115 74 78 322 261 043.07

Personal life[edit]

Claudiu Niculescu's brothers Mihai and Dragoș and his cousin Ovidiu were footballers in the Romanian lower leagues.[3][69] His father Marin was a football coach in the Romanian lower leagues.[3][69] In 1998 he married Lidia and they had together two kids, Alexandru and Rebecca.[70][71] They divorced in 2006.[71][72] 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.[73] Together they had a son named David Cristian.[73][74] Claudiu and Diana divorced in 2014.[75]

Honours[edit]

Player[edit]

Universitatea Craiova

Dinamo București

Individual[edit]

Coach[edit]

Voluntari

References[edit]

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  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Claudiu Niculescu at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
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  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ a b c ""Am dormit un an și jumătate într-o baracă. Mergeam 15 kilometri pentru o cană cu ceai, o bucată de pâine și două felii de parizer"" ["I slept for a year and a half in a shack. I would walk 15 kilometers for a cup of tea, a piece of bread and two slices of parisier"] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Claudiu Niculescu dă din casă: "Să vă zic ce a pățit un coleg în cazino"" [Claudiu Niculescu tells from the house: "Let me tell you what happened to a colleague in the casino"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "VIDEO+FOTO Claudiu Niculescu, legenda vie a lui Dinamo, împlinește azi 45 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 45 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 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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  13. ^ "Claudiu Niculescu, la 40 de ani. "Golul cu Real, cel mai frumos!" Marele regret al fostului atacant" [Claudiu Niculescu, at 40 years old. "The goal with Real, the most beautiful!" The great regret of the former striker] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Claudiu Niculescu s-a transferat ieri la Genoa 1893" [Claudiu Niculescu transferred to Genoa 1893 yesterday] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 30 August 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Niculescu a semnat cu Genoa" [Niculescu signed with Genoa] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 2 September 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
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  18. ^ ""Regret că m-am retras prea devreme!"" ["I regret retiring too early!"] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
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  27. ^ "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.
  28. ^ "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.
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  31. ^ "VIDEO 15 ani de la istoricul Dinamo - Everton 5-1. 3 dintre oamenii-cheie au rememorat meciul pentru GSP: "Sincer să fiu, am fost cel mai bun!"" [VIDEO 15 years since the historic Dinamo - Everton 5-1. 3 of the key people recalled the match for GSP:" To be honest, I was the best! "] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
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  34. ^ "Cel mai frumos derby din cariera lui Claudiu Niculescu:"Am dat două goluri"" [The most beautiful derby in Claudiu Niculescu's career:"I scored two goals"] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "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.
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  50. ^ "Niculescu a semnat pe doi ani cu Omonia Nicosia" [Niculescu signed for two years with Omonia Nicosia] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  51. ^ "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.
  52. ^ "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.
  53. ^ "Nouă ani de la "Minunea de la Liberec"! Povestea unei performanțe istorice și cum a reușit Florin Matache să intre în istorie" [Nine years since the "Miracle from Liberec"! The story of a historic performance and how Florin Matache managed to make history] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
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  56. ^ "După ce a dat o «dublă» în tur, Niculescu a marcat din nou împotriva lui Dinamo" [After scoring a "double" in the round, Niculescu scored again against Dinamo] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
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  66. ^ 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.
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  68. ^ a b c Claudiu Niculescu at Soccerway
  69. ^ 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.
  70. ^ "Claudiu Niculescu, parasit de sotie" [Claudiu Niculescu, left by his wife] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.antena3.ro. 12 February 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  71. ^ 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.
  72. ^ "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.
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  74. ^ "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.
  75. ^ "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.

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