Bogdan Stelea

Bogdan Gheorghe Stelea (Romanian pronunciation: [boɡˈdan ˈstele̯a]; born 5 December 1967) is a Romanian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and a current coach.
Having played professionally into his 40's, he played for all three major Liga I clubs in his country's capital, and also spent a vast part of his career in Spain, mainly with Salamanca.
Stelea played nearly 100 times for Romania, and represented the nation in three World Cups and two European Championships.

Born in Bucharest, Stelea started playing football at hometown's FC Dinamo București, being the club's undisputed starter by 1988. In 1991–92 he still appeared in 11 Liga I games as the capital side won the national championship, but signed late in 1991 with RCD Mallorca for $650.000. After two La Liga seasons in Spain, with relegation in his first, as last, he joined Belgium's Standard Liège but, unsettled, quickly returned home with FC Rapid București.

After one season in Turkey with Samsunspor, Stelea returned again to his country and joined FC Steaua București, the defending champions. In his two-year spell the club renewed its domestic supremacy and participated in the UEFA Champions League, with the player contributing significantly. During this period he also had a successful trial with Sunderland, but could not negotiate a deal.

In 1997 Stelea was transferred to UD Salamanca, where he lived his most steady period, remaining with the team seven years, only puncutated by a small loan spell with Rapid. He appeared in 191 overall games for the former during his tenure whilst competing mainly in the second division, but spent his first two seasons in the top flight.

After a second spell with Dinamo, Stelea started 2005–06 with Greek side Akratitos FC. Unsettled again, he returned to Romania with FC Oțelul Galați, but did not feature in any matches because of a serious injury. The following campaign he moved to FC Unirea Urziceni at the recommendation of new coach and former national teammate Dan Petrescu, where he eventually became first-choice; in 2007–08, at the age of 40, he was still one of the best goalkeepers in the country.

Stelea finally ended his long career at the end of the 2008–09 season, helping modest FC Brașov to a comfortable ninth place in the top division.

In 2012, Stelea became head coach of FC Astra Ploiești. On 10 August, however, after a home draw against CS Turnu Severin, he was sacked from his post.

In June 2014, Stelea accepted an offer from former national teammate Gheorghe Hagi to coach his club FC Viitorul Constanța. After eleven games in charge in which the team collected 13 points, he resigned.

Stelea made his debut for the Romanian national team in 1988 against Israel, and represented his country at the 1990, 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 1996 and Euro 2000, totalling 12 matches in final stages.

He gained 91 capped, the last against Slovakia in 2005. Four years later he rejoined the national side as assistant coach and, in 2013, was named manager of the under-21s.

Club

International

Dinamo București

• Liga I: 1989–90, 1991–92
• Cupa României: 1989–90, 2004–05

Steaua București

• Liga I: 1995–96, 1996–97
• Cupa României: 1995–96, 1996–97
• Supercupa României: 1995

Rapid București

• Cupa României: 2001–02