Rapid Bucharest's president, Victor Angelescu (41 years old), has made his decision: Daniel Pancu (48 years old) is the first choice to take over the technical bench of the Giulești-based team. Recently, the current coach of the Capital club, Costel Gâlcă (54 years old), announced that he will leave once the 2025-2026 season concludes. In this context, the primary replacement option is represented by the former striker from the white-blue ranks.

There has also been talk about a sensational return of Marius Șumudică (55 years old). However, the favorite in this story is "Pancone."

Daniel Pancu has an impressive career that includes qualifying CFR Cluj for European cups. However, he could be leaving the Gruia-based formation due to certain unresolved concerns. His contract was automatically extended after leading the team to Europe, and the buyout clause is now around 50,000 euros.

“Pancu is a coach whom we sincerely want. He’s our first option. He’s a get-beget Rapidist, having done some very good things at CFR and with the U21s (n.r. – Romanian national team). I’ve worked with him at the beginning of his career and know him as a person.

This is the first time it’s clear we no longer have a chance at achieving our goal (n.r. – that's why he’s speaking openly about Gâlcă’s replacement). Pancu is, probably, the Rapidist who feels and transmits the energy and what it means to be Rapid the best.

We haven’t reached out to him yet. We’ll see. We will discuss with his impresario, Ioan Becali. If we reach a consensus, which I hope, we’ll bring him in. If not, we have other options.

I know what Pancu feels for Rapid, I believe and hope he will come,” Victor Angelescu stated to Prima Sport.

At the same time, the minority shareholder of the Giulești club has taken apart Costel Gâlcă.

After a 2-2 draw with FC Argeș, the former international announced that he would resign from his position as Rapid's head coach. Gâlcă expressed dissatisfaction with how certain matters were handled by the leadership and suggested that his opinion wasn't considered in the transfer equation.

In response, Victor Angelescu gave a sharp reply, pointing a finger at the coach:

“What I understand from what Costel said is that he has no fault, he would have won the championship easily if the players or conditions were different. I haven’t encountered many coaches who take responsibility, step forward, but at least don’t comment on it.