22 Facts About Marian Mihail

An attack-minded right-back, Mihail spent almost his entire 17-year professional career playing for Sportul Studentesc Bucharest in the top tier of Romanian football.

Marian Mihail represented Romania internationally at U21, U23 and senior levels.

Marian Mihail served as National Technical Director of the Romania Football Association from 2011 to 2014.

Marian Mihail began his senior career in 1975, at the age of 17, playing as a winger for his hometown club Brasov FC, in the second tier of Romanian football, making 24 appearances and scoring 8 goals.

Marian Mihail played 16 European games for the club from 1976 to 1987.

Marian Mihail was part of Romania national team squad for the successful UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying campaign, but he was not selected for the final tournament held in France.

Marian Mihail began his coaching career in June 1996 as manager of his former club Sportul Studentesc Bucharest, in Romania's top tier.

Marian Mihail then managed other two Romanian top flight sides, Brasov FC and Bacau FC, before returning to Sportul Studentesc Bucharest in June 1998 for his second spell as manager of the club, relegated from Romania's top tier.

In October 1999, Marian Mihail was appointed as director of football at Romanian giants Steaua Bucharest, Romania's most successful football club and former winners of the UEFA Champions League.

In June 2002, after a stint as manager of Romanian second-tier side Rocar Bucharest, Marian Mihail moved to the Middle East, where he had successful spells in the top flight football, first in Syria with Al-Qardaha SC, and then in Saudi Arabia with Al-Riyadh SC.

In June 2004, Marian Mihail returned home to complete his UEFA Pro Licence with the Romania Football Association.

In May 2006, Marian Mihail moved back to the Middle East, where he signed a two-year contract with the Syrian giants Al-Jaish Damascus.

In June 2008, Marian Mihail was appointed as manager of Kuwaiti top flight side Al-Jahra SC, on a one-year contract.

In between, Marian Mihail returned home to Romania for his third spell as manager of Sportul Studentesc Bucharest, in Romania's second tier.

On 12 May 2009, at a ceremony marking the centenary of the Romania Football Association, Marian Mihail received the Order of Merit for services to Romanian football.

In June 2009, Marian Mihail signed a two-year contract as technical director of Al-Wahda Abu Dhabi FC, one of the most prestigious club in the UAE, where he was responsible for the club's youth academy.

Marian Mihail's primary focus was to develop a strong academy set up and ensure that all the Al-Wahda youth teams play the same style.

In February 2014, just a few days before the election of a new president for the Romania Football Association, it was announced that Marian Mihail officially quit his post.

In September 2016, Marian Mihail moved back into club coaching as manager of Iraqi top flight side Zakho SC, on a one-year contract.

In January 2017, Marian Mihail announced his decision to leave Zakho SC due to sectarian unrest in the country, and was replaced by another Romanian manager, Dorinel Munteanu.

In December 2017, Marian Mihail was named the new manager of Vietnamese top flight side FLC Thanh Hoa, replacing Ljubomir "Lupko" Petrovic of Serbia.

In February 2024, Marian Mihail has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract as manager of United City FC, the most successful club in Filipino football, with four consecutive titles.