Cosmin Olăroiu

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Cosmin Olăroiu

| fullname = Cosmin Aurelian Olăroiu

| image = Cosmin Olăroiu.jpg

| caption = Olăroiu in 2007

| image_size = 188px

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|6|10}}

| birth_place = Bucharest, Romania

| height = 1.87 m

| currentclub = United Arab Emirates (head coach)

| position = Centre back

| youthyears1= {{0|0000}}–1988

| youthclubs1= Steaua București

| years1 = 1988–1989

| years2 = 1989–1990

| years3 = 1990–1991

| years4 = 1991–1992

| years5 = 1992–1995

| years6 = 1995–1997

| years7 = 1997–2000

| years8 =2000

| clubs1 = Carpați Nehoiu

| clubs2 = Gloria Buzău

| clubs3 = MECON București

| clubs4 = Girueta București

| clubs5 = Naţional București

| clubs6 = Universitatea Craiova

| clubs7 = Suwon Samsung Bluewings

| clubs8 = → JEF United Ichihara (loan)

| caps1 = | goals1 =

| caps2 = | goals2 =

| caps3 = | goals3 =

| caps4 = | goals4 =

| caps5 = 80 | goals5 = 8

| caps6 = 37 | goals6 = 2

| caps7 = 98 | goals7 = 7

| caps8 = 10 | goals8 = 0

| totalcaps = 225 | totalgoals = 17

| manageryears1 = 2001–2002

| manageryears2 = 2002

| manageryears3 = 2003–2004

| manageryears4 = 2005

| manageryears5 = 2005–2007

| manageryears6 = 2007–2009

| manageryears7 = 2009–2010

| manageryears8 = 2011–2013

| manageryears9 = 2013–2017

| manageryears10 = 2014–2015

| manageryears11 = 2018–2021

| manageryears12 = 2021–2025

| manageryears13 = 2025–

| managerclubs1 = Naţional București

| managerclubs2 = Steaua București

| managerclubs3 = Naţional București

| managerclubs4 = Politehnica Timişoara

| managerclubs5 = Steaua București

| managerclubs6 = Al-Hilal

| managerclubs7 = Al-Sadd

| managerclubs8 = Al Ain

| managerclubs9 = Shabab Al-Ahli

| managerclubs10 = Saudi Arabia

| managerclubs11 = Jiangsu Suning

| managerclubs12 = Sharjah

| managerclubs13 = United Arab Emirates

}}

Cosmin Aurelian Olăroiu (born 10 June 1969) is a Romanian football manager and former player, who is currently the head coach of United Arab Emirates national team.{{Cite web | url=https://inside.fifa.com/associations/UAE| title=United Arab Emirates Football Association|work=FIFA|accessdate=20 May 2025}}

As a manager, he guided Steaua București to the Divizia A title and Romanian Supercup both in 2006, and led his side to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in the same year.{{cite web|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/portretul-lui-olaroiu-antrenorul-adus-de-becali-sa-salveze-steaua-cifre-culise-imagini-239072.html|title=Portretul lui Olăroiu, antrenorul adus de Becali să salveze Steaua: cifre, culise, imagini|work=Gazeta Sporturilor|date=5 May 2011|language=ro}}

He is considered one of the greatest managers in the Arabian Peninsula, having led the most decorated clubs of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates – Al Hilal, Al Sadd, Al Ain and Al Ahli – to new trophies. In 2020, he guided Jiangsu Suning to their first-ever title in China.

In May 2025, he led Sharjah FC to their first continental title, winning the AFC Champions League Two.

Club career

As a player, Olăroiu's best-known clubs he played for are Universitatea Craiova and Naţional București. However, he also played with success in K League for Suwon Samsung Bluewings where he helped the club to win two K League titles in 1998 and 1999. He also won the Korean League Cup and twice the Super Cup. He finished his playing career with JEF United Ichihara in 2000.

Coaching career

=Early years=

He started his coaching career during the 2000–01 season at Naţional București, leading them to a respectable 7th place in his first season. During the following season, he guided the club to a second-place finish in the league, finishing above clubs such as Steaua and Rapid București.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0186-0f843e59346c-a4908d0d6e87-1000--romania-round-up-dinamo-snatch-title-on-final-day/ |work=UEFA |date=1 June 2002 |title=Romania round-up: Dinamo snatch title on final day}}

In the summer 2002, Olăroiu signed for Steaua București.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0186-0f843e59355b-89a3fd2d3365-1000--olaroiu-makes-capital-move/ |work=UEFA |date=25 June 2002 |title=Olaroiu makes capital move}} He resigned after only seven league games, blaming the decision on a lack of support from the board and players. The club president Viorel Păunescu re-appointed Victor Piţurcă, former manager before 2002 who wanted to return to head-coaching and was still highly regarded by the players.{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=rou/news/newsid=38995.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505095909/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=rou/news/newsid=38995.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2016 |work=UEFA |date=18 October 2002 |title=Unhappy Olaroiu quits Steaua}}

After leaving Steaua București, Olăroiu returned to Național București, this time as a general manager. In 2003, he was named head coach again, replacing Walter Zenga.{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=rou/news/newsid=103011.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114070645/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=rou/news/newsid=103011.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 November 2015 |work=UEFA |date=10 September 2003 |title=All change at National}}

In the winter of 2004, Olăroiu joined FCU Poli Timişoara and brought with him the best players from Național București. He led them to a near historical fourth-place finish in Divizia A, but in November 2005 he was sacked by the club's owner Marian Iancu.

=Steaua Bucharest=

Just some days after, Olăroiu was appointed manager by Gigi Becali, the new president, and this time owner, of Steaua București, to replace Oleh Protasov.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01b3-0e6d5c287ea8-fd02ed00a355-1000--romania-gears-up-for-restart/ |work=UEFA |date=8 March 2006 |title=Romania gears up for restart}} His first championship title as coach came in June 2006 and then one month later, he led the club to the conquest of the Supercupa României. In May 2006, Olăroiu's side reached the semi-finals of the 2005–06 UEFA Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01b4-0e6d7d828e72-1f408d3ff22f-1000--steaua-s-tower-of-strength/ |work=UEFA |date=11 April 2006 |title=Steaua's tower of strength}} He also helped Steaua to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stages,{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01b8-0ea86722b111-72805759d26e-1000--steaua-fulfil-becali-s-dream/ |work=UEFA |date=24 August 2006 |title=Steaua fulfil Becali's dream}} where they played against Dynamo Kyiv, Real Madrid and Olympique Lyon. Steaua secured a third place and a spot in the UEFA Cup knockout rounds.

=Al-Hilal=

In June 2007, Olăroiu signed for Al-Hilal. In 2008, he again proved his coaching worth, winning the Saudi Premier League and the Crown Prince Cup in his first season in charge. He led his side to a second Crown Prince Cup title before leaving the club in February 2009, while leading them to the first position in the league.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/uae-sport/al-ain-appoint-romanian-cosmin-olaroiu-as-coach |work=The National |date=7 June 2011 |title=Al Ain appoint Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu as coach}}

=Al-Sadd=

In April 2009, he signed a two-year contract with Al-Sadd.{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1277/west-asia/2009/04/17/1213516/qatar-al-sadd-appoint-cosmin-olaroiu-as-coach |work=Goal.com |date=17 April 2009|title=Qatar: Al Sadd appoint Cosmin Olaroiu as Coach}} In December 2010, Olăroiu announced his resignation as club boss immediately after leading his side to the Qatari Stars Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1356095.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227081435/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1356095.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 December 2010 |work=FIFA |date=23 December 2010|title=Trio of coaches leave Middle East}}

On 5 May 2011, Olăroiu was named supervisor for Steaua București for the last three matches of Liga I in the 2010–11 season and the 2011 Cupa României Final. Steaua's assistant coach, Gabriel Caramarin took charge of the team as caretaker manager, for the last remaining games.

=Al Ain=

File:Cosmin Aurelian Olaroiu.jpg players during a training session in 2013.]]

In the summer of 2011, Cosmin Olăroiu was hired as Al Ain manager on a two-year contract. He steered the club away from the relegation zone, before leading them to the UAE Pro-League title in the 2011–12 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1277/west-asia/2012/04/28/3065575/al-ain-coach-cosmin-olaroiu-hails-perfect-players-after |work=Goal.com |date=28 April 2012 |title=Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu hails 'perfect' players after clinching UAE Pro-League title}} On 18 September 2012, he also won the UAE Super Cup with Al Ain.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/super-cup-goalkeeper-is-hero-for-al-ain-after-penalty-drama |work=The National |date=18 September 2012 |title=Super Cup: Goalkeeper is hero for Al Ain after penalty drama}}

He then repeated the performance the following season, winning a consecutive title for Al Ain.{{cite news |url=http://m.gulfnews.com/sport/football/asamoah-gyan-hat-trick-wins-al-ain-an-11th-etisalat-pro-league-title-1.1172351 |work=Gulf News |date=18 April 2013 |title=Asamoah Gyan hat-trick wins Al Ain an 11th Etisalat Pro League title}} In June 2013, Olăroiu signed a contract extension with Al Ain reportedly worth €4 million a season after penning new two-year deal.{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/cosmin-olaroiu-extends-al-ain-contract-1.1194690 |work=gulfnews.com |date=9 June 2013 |title=Cosmin Olaroiu extends Al Ain contract}} However, the contract was terminated on 1 July 2013.

=Al Ahli=

On 6 July 2013, it was announced that Olăroiu signed a three-year contract with Dubai side Al Ahli.{{cite news |url=http://alahliclub.ae/en/index.php?go=news&more=727 |work=alahliclub.ae (official website) |date=6 July 2013 |title=Cosmin Olaroiu confirmed as Al Ahli coach on three-year deal |access-date=11 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208145904/http://alahliclub.ae/en/index.php?go=news&more=727 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=dead }} On 30 August, Olăroiu won his first match in charge of Al Ahli against his former club Al Ain in the Super Cup final.{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/majed-nasser-the-penalty-shootout-hero-for-al-ahli-1.1225747 |work=gulfnews.com |date=30 August 2013 |title=Majed Nasser the penalty shootout hero for Al Ahli}} In April 2014, Cosmin Olăroiu mathematically won his third consecutive league title as Al Ahli won over arch rivals Al Wasl 2–1.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/al-ahli-clinch-arabian-gulf-league-title-with-win-over-al-wasl |work=The National |date=10 April 2014 |title=Al Ahli clinch Arabian Gulf League title with win over Al Wasl}} During his first season in charge, Olăroiu won three domestic titles and was awarded as Coach of the Year by the UAE Pro League in 2014.{{cite news |url= http://sport360.com/article/arabian-gulf-league/21351/al-hammadi-grafite-and-olaroiu-rewarded-al-ahlis-fine-season|work=Sport 360 |date=18 May 2014 |title=Al Hammadi, Grafite and Olaroiu rewarded for Al Ahli's fine season}}

He guided the club to their first AFC Champions League final in 2015, losing 1–0 on aggregate to China's Guangzhou Evergrande.

In the 2016–17 season, Olăroiu became one of the highest paid managers in world football,{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ar/news/19652/uae/2016/06/15/24648192/cosmin-paid-higher-than-euro-managers |title=Al Ahli's coach is paid higher than every single coach of Euro 2016 teams. |publisher=Goal.com |date=15 June 2016}} earning a sum of €6.5 million annually.{{cite web|url=http://www.fanatik.ro/olaroiu-salariu-urias-la-arabi-castiga-mai-bine-decat-simeone-1007806 |title=Olăroiu, salariu uriaş la arabi! Câştigă mai bine decât Simeone |publisher=Fanatik |date=26 September 2017|language=ro}}

=Saudi Arabia=

On 15 December 2014, it was announced that he will train the Saudi Arabia national football team for 2015 AFC Asian Cup as temporary coach.{{cite news |url= http://www.the-afc.com/saudi-arabia-asian-cup-2015/saudi-arabia-opt-for-olaroiu-ahead-of-afc-asian-cup|work=The AFC |date=16 December 2014 |title=Saudi Arabia opt for Olaroiu ahead of AFC Asian Cup}} His first match in charge was a 4–1 loss to Bahrain in a friendly match. Olăroiu's side also lost two next matches, including a 1–0 loss to China in 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia's first match at the tournament. They won their next match 4–1 against North Korea but lost 3–1 their final match against Uzbekistan and were eliminated in the group stages. The results is a consequence of his not knowing his players well, having only been appointed in a hurriedly temporary agreement. At the end of the tournament, Olăroiu returned to his club position.

Results	Date	Venue	Opponent	Result	Goalscorers	Competition
class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size:90%"
colspan="14"\|2014
style="background-color:#ffdddd" \| 1	30 December 2014	Geelong, Australia	{{fb\|Bahrain}}	1–4	Naif Hazazi	Friendly
colspan="14"\|2015
style="background-color:#ffdddd" \| 2	4 January 2015	Sydney, Australia	{{fb\|South Korea}}	0–2		Friendly
style="background-color:#ffdddd" \| 3	10 January 2015	Brisbane, Australia	{{fb\|China}}	0–1		2015 AFC Asian Cup
style="background-color:#ddffdd" \| 4	14 January 2015	Melbourne, Australia	{{fb\|North Korea}}	4–1	Naif Hazazi, Mohammad Al-Sahlawi x2 & Nawaf Al Abed	2015 AFC Asian Cup
style="background-color:#ffdddd" \| 5	18 January 2015	Melbourne, Australia	{{fb\|Uzbekistan}}	1–3	Mohammad Al-Sahlawi (P)	2015 AFC Asian Cup

=Jiangsu Suning=

On 28 March 2018, Olăroiu was appointed at Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Super League, replacing Fabio Capello.{{cite web|url=http://fc.suning.com/fcs-web/news/167.html|script-title=zh:卡佩罗离任，奥拉罗尤接任|language=zh|website=fc.suning.com|publisher=Jiangsu Suning|date=28 March 2018|access-date=29 March 2018|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330014332/http://fc.suning.com/fcs-web/news/167.html|url-status=dead}} He took charge of his first match on 1 April in a home game against Tianjin Teda, which Jiangsu won 2–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/jiangsu-suning-fc-vs-tianjin-teda/teams/388301|title=Jiangsu Suning FC 2–1 Tianjin Teda|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 April 2018|access-date=2 April 2018}}

In his third season, Jiangsu Suning won the Super League title for the first time in the club's history.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/teixeira-shines-as-jiangsu-suning-edge-guangzhou-evergrande-for-first-csl-title|title=Teixeira shines as Jiangsu Suning edge Guangzhou Evergrande for first CSL title|work=The AFC|date=12 November 2020|access-date=12 November 2020}} However, the club folded before the start of the 2021 season.

=Sharjah=

On 10 November 2021, Olăroiu returned to the United Arab Emirates to help an out of form Sharjah stay competitive in the UAE Pro League.{{cite web|url=https://www.albayan.ae/sports/emirates/2021-11-10-1.4294411|title=كوزمين في الإمارات للمرة الثالثة عبر الشارقة|date=10 November 2021 |access-date=10 November 2021|language=ar}} On the 18th of May 2025, Olăroiu won the inaugural AFC Champions League Two with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_two.html/news/sharjah-edge-sailors-to-savour-glory|title=Sharjah edge Sailors to savour glory|work=The AFC|date=18 May 2025 |access-date=19 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/05/18/a4|title=Sharjah crowned champions of AFC Champions League 2|website=Sharjah24.ae|date=18 May 2025 |access-date=19 May 2025}} He joins Costică Ștefănescu, Valeriu Tița and Marin Ion as the fourth Romanian coach to win the competition.

=United Arab Emirates=

On 18 April 2025, Olăroiu is set to be appointed as the new head coach of United Arab Emirates national team replacing Paulo Bento.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/united-arab-emirates-appoint-cosmin-olaroiu|title=United Arab Emirates turn to Olaroiu|access-date=13 May 2025|date=19 April 2025|website=FIFA}}

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=8\|Record
G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Romania}} Național București \|align=left\|1 January 2001 \|align=left\|30 June 2002 {{WDL\|46\|24\|12\|10\|for=64\|against=37\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Romania}} Steaua București \|align=left\|1 July 2002 \|align=left\|15 October 2002 {{WDL\|7\|2\|3\|2\|for=6\|against=5\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Romania}} Național București \|align=left\|10 September 2003 \|align=left\|31 December 2004 {{WDL\|47\|22\|9\|16\|for=74\|against=53\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Romania}} Politehnica Timişoara \|align=left\|1 January 2005 \|align=left\|7 November 2005 {{WDL\|29\|16\|8\|5\|for=44\|against=18\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Romania}} Steaua București \|align=left\|16 December 2005 \|align=left\|30 June 2007 {{WDL\|73\|40\|18\|15\|for=110\|against=57\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Saudi Arabia}} Al Hilal \|align=left\|1 July 2007 \|align=left\|28 February 2009 {{WDL\|56\|37\|14\|5\|for=93\|against=30\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Qatar}} Al Sadd \|align=left\|1 January 2009 \|align=left\|24 December 2010 {{WDL\|59\|33\|15\|11\|for=142\|against=64\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|United Arab Emirates}} Al Ain \|align=left\|7 June 2011 \|align=left\|6 July 2013 {{WDL\|60\|43\|7\|10\|for=144\|against=57\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|United Arab Emirates}} Shabab Al Ahli \|align=left\|7 July 2013 \|align=left\|2 December 2017 {{WDL\|179\|99\|53\|27\|for=324\|against=171\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia \|align=left\|15 December 2014 \|align=left\|31 January 2015 {{WDL\|4\|1\|0\|3\|for=6\|against=9\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|China}} Jiangsu Suning \|align=left\|28 March 2018 \|align=left\|10 February 2021 {{WDL\|83\|39\|28\|16\|for=145\|against=92\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|United Arab Emirates}} Sharjah \|align=left\|10 November 2021 \|align=left\|25 May 2025 {{WDL\|161\|81\|44\|36\|for=269\|against=171\|diff=yes}}
align=left\|{{flagicon\|United Arab Emirates}} United Arab Emirates \|align=left\|18 April 2025 \|align=left\|present {{WDL\|2\|0\|2\|0\|for=1\|against=1\|diff=yes}}
colspan="3"\|Total {{WDLtot\|807\|437\|213\|157\|for=1400\|against=765\|diff=yes}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=8|Record

Win %

align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Național București

|align=left|1 January 2001

|align=left|30 June 2002

align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Steaua București

|align=left|1 July 2002

|align=left|15 October 2002

align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Național București

|align=left|10 September 2003

|align=left|31 December 2004

align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Politehnica Timişoara

|align=left|1 January 2005

|align=left|7 November 2005

align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Steaua București

|align=left|16 December 2005

|align=left|30 June 2007

align=left|{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Al Hilal

|align=left|1 July 2007

|align=left|28 February 2009

align=left|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Al Sadd

|align=left|1 January 2009

|align=left|24 December 2010

align=left|{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} Al Ain

|align=left|7 June 2011

|align=left|6 July 2013

align=left|{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} Shabab Al Ahli

|align=left|7 July 2013

|align=left|2 December 2017

align=left|{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia

|align=left|15 December 2014

|align=left|31 January 2015

align=left|{{flagicon|China}} Jiangsu Suning

|align=left|28 March 2018

|align=left|10 February 2021

align=left|{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} Sharjah

|align=left|10 November 2021

|align=left|25 May 2025

align=left|{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} United Arab Emirates

|align=left|18 April 2025

|align=left|present

colspan="3"|Total

Honours

=Player=

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

K League: 1998, 1999
Korean League Cup: 1999, 2000
Korean Super Cup: 1999, 2000
Daehan Fire Insurance Cup: 1999
Asian Cup Winners' Cup runner-up: 1997–98

=Manager=

Steaua București

Al Hilal

Al Sadd

Qatari Stars Cup: 2010

Al Ain

UAE League: 2011–12, 2012–13
UAE Super Cup: 2012

Shabab Al Ahli

UAE League: 2013–14, 2015–16
UAE President's Cup runner-up: 2013–14, 2014–15
UAE League Cup: 2013–14, 2016–17
UAE Super Cup: 2013, 2014, 2016
AFC Champions League runner-up: 2015

Jiangsu Suning

Chinese Super League: 2020{{Cite web|date=2020-11-12|title=Inspired Teixeira drags Jiangsu to first Chinese Super League title|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201112-inspired-teixeira-drags-jiangsu-to-first-chinese-super-league-title|access-date=2020-11-12|website=France 24|language=en}}
Chinese FA Cup runner-up: 2020

Sharjah

=Individual=

Gazeta Sporturilor Romania Coach of the Year: 2006, 2020 (joint with Răzvan Lucescu)
AGL Coach of the Year: 2014, 2016, 2017
{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160203084255/https://ahdaaf.me/ Ahdaaf Middle East Coach of the Year]}}: 2015