Cosmin Contra

Cosmin Contra
Contra with Getafe in 2009
Personal information
Full name Cosmin Marius Contra
Date of birth (1975-12-15) 15 December 1975
Place of birth Timișoara, Romania
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Right back / Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Romania (manager)
Youth career
1988–1993 Politehnica Timișoara
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1995 Politehnica Timișoara 51 (1)
1996–1999 Dinamo Bucureşti 101 (8)
1999–2001 Alavés 66 (5)
2001–2002 Milan 29 (3)
2002–2006 Atlético Madrid 34 (0)
2004–2005 → West Bromwich Albion (loan) 5 (0)
2005 → Politehnica Timișoara (loan) 14 (0)
2005–2006 → Getafe (loan) 24 (0)
2006–2010 Getafe 60 (3)
2010–2011 Politehnica Timișoara 22 (4)
Total 406 (24)
National team
1996–2010 Romania 73 (7)
Teams managed
2010 Politehnica Timișoara
2012 Fuenlabrada
2012–2014 Petrolul Ploiești
2014–2015 Getafe
2015 Guangzhou R&F
2016 Alcorcón
2017 Dinamo București
2017– Romania
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Cosmin Marius Contra (Romanian pronunciation: [kosˈmin ˈmari.us ˈkontra]; born 15 December 1975) is a Romanian former footballer, and is the current coach of Romania.

Primarily an offensive-minded right back, he was also deployed as a midfielder. He played professionally in three countries his own notwithstanding, mainly Spain where he appeared for Alavés, Atlético Madrid and Getafe, amassing La Liga totals of 188 games and eight goals. A Romania international for nearly 15 years, he represented the nation in two European Championships.

As a coach, Contra won the Cupa României with Petrolul Ploiești in 2013 and the Cupa Ligii with Dinamo București four years later. In September 2017, he was appointed at the helm of the Romania national team.

Playing career

Club

Early years / Alavés

Born in Timișoara, Contra started his professional career at local FC Politehnica, and moved in January 1996 to FC Dinamo București.

After three-and-a-half seasons with the capital-based team, he was transferred for $800.000 to Spain's Deportivo Alavés, where he was an important part in the Basque side's runner-up run in the UEFA Cup,[1] his performances earning him in a place in the season's UEFA Team of the Year;[2] he also scored five La Liga goals in his two years combined.

Milan / Atlético

In the summer of 2001, Contra moved to Italian giants A.C. Milan, but his spell there lasted only one season. In September 2002 he returned to Spain and signed with Atlético Madrid,[3] playing two years with the Colchoneros even though he appeared very rarely in his second due to a serious ankle condition;[4] while still with Milan, he was suspended after a scuffle with Juventus FC's Edgar Davids.[5]

Contra signed for West Bromwich Albion on loan in August 2004,[6] making his debut in a 1–2 defeat at Colchester United for the campaign's Football League Cup on 21 September.[7] His maiden Premier League appearance occurred almost two months later, when they lost 2–1 at home against Middlesbrough.[8]

Overall, the loan was not particularly successful, with Contra playing just six games and receiving a red card in the last game of his spell, a 0–5 home defeat to Liverpool. He then returned to his country and Liga I, at the club which brought him up as a player, Politehnica Timisoara, where he managed to be recalled to the national side due to his good performances.

Getafe / Late career

Contra returned to Spain in August 2005, agreeing to a season-long loan with Getafe CF[9] which was subsequently made permanent. He was used regularly by the Madrid outskirts side, battling for a first-team slot with David Cortés.

In the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, Contra netted in both legs of the quarter-final bout against FC Bayern Munich, which ended in a 4–4 aggregate elimination after extra time.[10] Earlier in the competition, he scored a penalty kick against AEK Athens FC,[11] appearing in that match even though his father had died just hours before;[12] in September 2006, he became a naturalized Spanish citizen.

In late January 2010, after being ousted from the starting XI by manager Míchel, Contra left Getafe and returned to his country, rejoining hometown's FC Timișoara initially until June. On 26 February 2010 he made his debut in his second spell for the club, netting from a 30-yard a free kick against FC Politehnica Iaşi. Two months later, against FC Steaua Bucureşti, he again found the net from two set pieces, one from a penalty kick; during his second stint, he played mainly as a central midfielder.

On 29 August 2010, Contra scored again from a free kick and again against Steaua, in a late 1–1 equaliser.[13] His contract expired the following day, and on 9 September he agreed to a new deal with the club,[14] being announced as Timișoara's new player-coach six days later.[15]

International

Over 14 years, Contra earned 73 caps for Romania, scoring seven goals. He appeared for his country at UEFA Euro 2000 and 2008.[16]

On 1 April 2009, after a match with Austria, Contra announced his retirement from international football. On 30 August 2010, however, the 34-year-old was recalled for two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Albania and Belarus.[17]

Coaching career

Early years

Contra made his Timişoara debut as a manager in September 2010, with a win against FC Sportul Studențesc București.[18] Even though the team never lost a game under his guidance, he was sacked after 11 matches (six wins, five draws) because of a conflict with the club's owner.[19]

Contra returned to Spain in July 2012, being appointed at Segunda División B side CF Fuenlabrada.[20] He started the campaign well and, after ten rounds, the team found themselves in a play-off position; however, after an offer from FC Petrolul Ploieşti in his homeland arrived, he asked to be released from his contract.[21]

Petrolul

Contra took over at Petrolul in October 2012, replacing Mircea Rednic. In his first season he reached the final of the Romanian Cup, defeating CFR Cluj 1–0;[22] additionally, the club finished third in the domestic league, thus securing qualification to the Europa League after an 18-year-absence.

Petrolul managed to knock-out Víkingur Gøta in the Europa League second qualifying round and Vitesse Arnhem in the third, but were eliminated in the play-offs by Swansea City after being defeated 1–5 in Wales and winning 2–1 at home.[23]

Getafe

On 10 March 2014, Contra returned to Getafe and the Spanish top flight after four years, replacing Luis García who was sacked after a long run of bad results which led the club to only a point above the relegation zone, and without a league win since November.[24][25] His first match in charge came four days later, a 3–3 home draw to Granada CF;[26] on the 30th the team finally won a game, emerging victorious at Valencia CF 3–1.[27]

On 19 May 2014, Contra managed to leave his team above the relegation zone after a 2–1 win at Rayo Vallecano.[28]

Guangzhou R&F

On 18 December 2014, Contra was named as the new manager of Guangzhou R&F FC, replacing Sven-Göran Eriksson.[29] He began working officially for the club on 4 January of the following year.[30]

Alcorcón / Dinamo Bucharest

On 15 June 2016, Contra was appointed AD Alcorcón manager.[31] He was sacked on 12 October.[32]

In February 2017, Contra was hired as the new manager of FC Dinamo București.[33] He led the club to their first trophy in five years by winning the Cupa Ligii[34] but, after advances from the Romanian Football Federation to coach the national team, he resigned from his post on 16 September.[35]

Romania national team

On 17 September 2017, following Christoph Daum's sacking, Contra was revealed as the new manager of Romania with the objective of qualifying for Euro 2020.[36] His first game in charge was on 5 October, and he led the team to a 3–1 win in Ploiești against Kazakhstan for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[37]

Career statistics

International goals

Scores and results table. Romania's goal tally first:
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
128 March 2001Boris Paichadze, Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia2–02–02002 World Cup qualification
214 November 2001Ghencea, Bucharest, Romania Slovenia1–11–12002 World Cup qualification – Playoffs
316 October 2002Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Luxembourg4–07–0Euro 2004 qualifying
416 October 2002Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Luxembourg5–07–0Euro 2004 qualifying
516 October 2002Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Luxembourg7–07–0Euro 2004 qualifying
628 March 2007Stadionul Ceahlăul, Piatra Neamţ, Romania Luxembourg2–03–0Euro 2008 qualifying
76 June 2007Dan Păltinişanu, Timişoara, Romania Slovenia2–02–0Euro 2008 qualifying
[38]

Managerial statistics

As of 14 October 2018[39][40][41]
Team Nat From To Record
GWDLGFGAWin %
Politehnica Timișoara Romania 15 September 2010 5 December 2010 14 8 5 1 25 16 057.14
Fuenlabrada Spain 21 July 2012 29 October 2012 10 5 3 2 19 14 050.00
Petrolul Ploiești Romania 29 October 2012 10 March 2014 58 33 20 5 99 48 056.90
Getafe Spain 10 March 2014 4 January 2015 30 10 8 12 30 35 033.33
Guangzhou R&F China 4 January 2015 22 July 2015 30 9 7 14 37 45 030.00
Alcorcón Spain 15 June 2016 12 October 2016 11 4 3 4 6 9 036.36
Dinamo București Romania 16 February 2017 16 September 2017 24 14 4 6 35 19 058.33
Romania Romania 22 September 2017 12 7 4 1 18 11 058.33
Total 193 94 56 43 254 187 048.70

Honours

Player

Alavés

Getafe

Individual

Manager

Petrolul Ploiești

Dinamo București

References

  1. ↑ "Liverpool win nine-goal epic with golden goal". UEFA. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  2. ↑ Contra voted Romania's finest; UEFA, 18 December 2001
  3. ↑ "Contra deal goes through". BBC Sport. 2 September 2002. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  4. ↑ Contra set for surgery; UEFA, 2 October 2003
  5. ↑ Contra and Davids suspended after scuffle; UEFA, 12 August 2002
  6. ↑ "Baggies snap up Contra". BBC Sport. 31 August 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  7. ↑ "Colchester vs WBA". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 21 September 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  8. ↑ "WBA vs Middlesbrough". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 14 November 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  9. ↑ Contra seals Spanish switch; UEFA, 4 August 2005
  10. ↑ Crushed Contra defiant in defeat; UEFA, 11 April 2008
  11. ↑ Getafe debut run goes on; UEFA, 21 February 2008
  12. ↑ "Un gol con dedicatoria especial" [Goal with a special dedication] (in Spanish). UEFA. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "Etapa 6: Steaua – FC Timisoara 1–1" [Round 6: Steaua – FC Timisoara 1–1] (in Romanian). Romanian Soccer. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  14. ↑ "Contra: "M-am înţeles cu Poli. Sunt mulţumit că am rămas acasă"" [Contra: "I understand Poli. I am glad I have stayed home"] (in Romanian). FC Timişoara. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  15. ↑ ""Guriţă", Velcea, Rotariu şi Bratu în stafful Timişoarei / Contra all inclusive!" [Contra announced new coach of Poli] (in Romanian). Viola Mania. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  16. ↑ "Cosmin Contra – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  17. ↑ "Imediat după anunțul că se lasă de fotbal, Contra a fost convocat la "naţională"!" [Immediately after retiring from football, Contra is called to the national team!] (in Romanian). FC Timişoara. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  18. ↑ "Victorie la debutul lui Contra ca antrenor al lui Poli: Timisoara – Sportul 2–1" [Victory for Contra on his debut for Poli: Timisoara – Sportul 2–1] (in Romanian). Sport 365. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  19. ↑ "Contra, demis de la FC Timişoara" [Contra, sacked from Poli Timişoara] (in Romanian). RFI. 5 December 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  20. ↑ "Cosmin Contra, nuevo entrenador del Fuenlabrada" [Cosmin Contra, new coach of Fuenlabrada] (in Spanish). Tuzonaes. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  21. ↑ "Contra deja Fuenlabrada por el Ploiesti rumano" [Contra leaves Fuenlabrada for Romania's Ploiești]. Marca (in Spanish). 29 October 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  22. ↑ "Petrolul edge past Cluj to win Romanian Cup". Chicago Tribune. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  23. ↑ "Petrolul Ploiesti 2–1 Swansea (agg 3–6)". BBC Sport. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  24. ↑ "Presentación Contra" [Presentation of Contra] (in Spanish). Getafe CF. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  25. ↑ "Garcia does not fear Getafe sack". FourFourTwo. 9 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "Granada, Getafe battle to wild draw". CBS Sports. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  27. ↑ "Valencia 1–3 Getafe: Getafe sucker punch Valencia to escape the relegation zone". Inside Spanish Football. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  28. ↑ "Contra: It's been a very tough road since I came here as manager". Inside Spanish Football. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  29. ↑ "Guangzhou R&F names Getafe's Cosmin Contra coach". The New Zealand Herald. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  30. ↑ 富力宣布孔特拉下周一正式接手 刘殿座确定加盟 (in Chinese). Sports 163. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  31. ↑ "Cosmin Contra, nuevo entrenador de la A.D. Alcorcón" [Cosmin Contra, new manager of A.D. Alcorcón] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  32. ↑ "Comunicado oficial" [Official announcement] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  33. ↑ "Contra este noul antrenor al lui Dinamo" [Contra is the new manager at Dinamo] (in Romanian). Dolce Sport. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  34. ↑ "Dinamo a câștigat Cupa Ligii fără emoții" [Dinamo win League Cup without problems]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 20 May 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  35. ↑ "Cosmin Contra și-a oficializat plecarea de la Dinamo" [Contra makes Dinamo departure official]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 19 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  36. ↑ "Înțelegere de principiu cu Cosmin Contra pentru conducerea Naționalei României" [Agreement in principle with Cosmin Contra to lead the Romania national team] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  37. ↑ "Cand nu esti Contra Budescu e Grozav! Romania face cel mai bun meci oficial din 2017 la debutul lui Contra! ROMANIA 3–1 KAZAHSTAN! Toate fazele meciului" [When you are not Against ("Contra" in English) Budescu it's Great ("Grozav" in English)! Romania have the best official match of 2017 in Contra's debut! ROMANIA 3–1 KAZAKHSTAN! Play-by-play report] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  38. ↑ "Cosmin Contra". European Football. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  39. ↑ Cosmin Contra; at Labtof (in Romanian)
  40. ↑ Contra: Cosmin Marius Contra; at BDFutbol
  41. ↑ "Cosmin Contra". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  42. ↑ "Team of the Year 2001". UEFA. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
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