Alexandru Curteian replaced Ion Caras as manager of the national football team following a relevant decision taken by the Executive Committee of the Football Federation of Moldova, IPN reports.

Curteian, who during the last three years trained the Under-21 team, will make his debut as manager of the senior squad in the encounter between Moldova and Austria that will be played in Chisinau on October 9. “It was a surprise for me. It’s an honor to train the national team. I haven’t yet signed the contract, but this is a matter of secondary importance. I always wanted to become the coach of the top squad. We have a good team with talented players. I’m confident that things will go well with proper organization and discipline,” Alexandru Curteian said in a news conference.

As a player, Curteian was the captain and one of the leaders of the national football team of Moldova. He played for Zimbru, Widzew, Zenit and Hamburger. He became five times champion of Moldova and one time champion of Poland. As a coach, he won Moldova’s Cup with Zimbru in 1997 and obtained a number of accomplishments together with the Under-21 team.