Romanian champions CFR Cluj part company with coach Ioan Andone

CFR Cluj: Romanians' good Champions League form doesnt save coach

CFR Cluj have parted company with their coach, despite lying second to Manchester United in UEFA Champions League Group H.

Ioan Andone has paid the price for a poor start to the domestic season that has seen them collect just 16 points from their opening 12 games.

The defending champions are currently lying 10th in the Romanian Liga I, 13 points behind leaders Steaua Bucharest and just six-points above the relegation zone.

His sacking comes in the wake of a positive result in Turkey against Galatasaray on Tuesday, where they drew 1-1 despite playing for over an hour with 10 men.

That result left them with a good chance of qualifying for the knockout phase, with four points at the halfway stage following their win over Braga on match-day one.

The Romanians have two home games left in Group H to try and secure a top-two place, but will now have to find a new man to lead them into the remaining European games, and attempt to lift them up their domestic league table.

The club confirmed: "CFR Cluj and Ioan Andone have reached an agreement to end relations.

"We are proud of everything we've accomplished together. Andone has and will always have a special place in the hearts of our supporters."

Andone led Cluj to a domestic double in 2008 before spells in the Middle East, Bulgaria and at rival Romanian outfits Rapid and Dinamo Bucharest.

He returned to the club in April and led them to their third league title.

The well-travelled boss is now rumoured to be returning to Rapid, whilst Cluj could turn to former Napoli and Lazio coach Edoardo Reja.