Marius Croitoru

{{Short description|Romanian footballer (born 1980)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Marius Croitoru | image = Marius Croitoru small.jpg | upright = 0.7 | caption = Croitoru after a game with Steaua București | full_name = Marius Marian Croitoru | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1980|10|2}} | birth_place = Giurgiu, Romania | height = 1.75 m | position = Right winger | currentclub = Botoșani (head coach) | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1998 | youthclubs1 = Inter Dunărea Giurgiu | years1 = 1998–1999 | clubs1 = Inter Dunărea Giurgiu | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1999–2000 | clubs2 = Turistul Pantelimon | caps2 = 23 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2000–2005 | clubs3 = FCM Bacău | caps3 = 111 | goals3 = 7 | years4 = 2006 | clubs4 = Vaslui | caps4 = 32 | goals4 = 6 | years5 = 2007–2008 | clubs5 = Steaua București | caps5 = 22 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2008 | clubs6 = → Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț (loan) | caps6 = 14 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2009 | clubs7 = FCM Bacău | caps7 = 3 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2009 | clubs8 = Politehnica Iași | caps8 = 1 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2010 | clubs9 = Atyrau | caps9 = 27 | goals9 = 4 | years10 = 2011 | clubs10 = Astra Ploiești | caps10 = 8 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2012 | clubs11 = FCM Bacău | caps11 = 11 | goals11 = 1 | years12 = 2012–2015 | clubs12 = Botoșani | caps12 = 86 | goals12 = 8 | years13 = 2015–2018 | clubs13 = ACS Poli Timișoara | caps13 = 64 | goals13 = 2 | years14 = 2018 | clubs14 = CSM Pașcani | caps14 = 1 | goals14 = 0 | totalcaps = 403 | totalgoals = 31 | nationalyears1 = 2001 | nationalteam1 = Romania U21 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | manageryears1 = 2019–2022 | managerclubs1 = Botoșani | manageryears2 = 2022 | managerclubs2 = FC U Craiova | manageryears3 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs3 = Argeș Pitești | manageryears4 = 2023 | managerclubs4 = Botoșani | manageryears5 = 2024 | managerclubs5 = FC U Craiova | manageryears6 = 2026– | managerclubs6 = Botoșani }}

'''Marius Marian Croitoru''' (born 2 October 1980) is a Romanian professional football manager and former player, who is currently in charge of Liga I club Botoșani.

He played as a right winger and possessed a powerful shot and good ball technique.

==Club career== Croitoru made his professional debut in a second division game for Turistul București. In 2000, he moved to Liga I club FCM Bacău.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/marius-croitoru-e-noul-antrenor-al-lui-fc-botosani-568827.html|title=Marius Croitoru, noul antrenor de la FC Botoșani|trans-title=Marius Croitoru, new coach at FC Botoșani|newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=Romanian|date=4 June 2019|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref>

After six seasons with FCM Bacău, Croitoru moved to fellow first league club FC Vaslui, where he impressed alongside Viorel Frunză.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/fostul-presedinte-al-vasluiului-ciprian-damian-executat-silit-pentru-banii-luati-de-la-echipa-571177.html|title=Fostul președinte al Vasluiului, Ciprian Damian, executat silit|trans-title=Former Vaslui president, Ciprian Damian, goes into forced repossession|newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=Romanian|date=3 July 2019|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref>

In January 2007, after some impressive displays for Vaslui, he was transferred by Steaua București. After only one season, he was loaned to Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sport365.ro/Steaua_si_Ceahlaul_au_ajuns_la_un_acord_pentru_imprumutul_lui_Croitoru_la_Piatra_Neamt-n48907.html |title=Steaua si Ceahlaul au ajuns la un acord pentru imprumutul lui Croitoru la Piatra Neamt |access-date=19 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121937/http://www.sport365.ro/Steaua_si_Ceahlaul_au_ajuns_la_un_acord_pentru_imprumutul_lui_Croitoru_la_Piatra_Neamt-n48907.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Managerial career== ===Botoșani=== In the summer of 2019, although still not in possession of a UEFA Pro Licence, Croitoru was appointed as head coach of Liga I club Botoșani.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://a1.ro/news/sport/marius-croitoru-prezentat-ca-antrenor-principal-la-fc-botosani-nu-am-nici-cea-mai-mica-teama-id883849.html|title=Marius Croitoru, prezentat ca antrenor principal la FC Botoşani|trans-title=Marius Croitoru, announced as manager of FC Botoşani|newspaper=Antena 1|language=Romanian|date=10 July 2019|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref> In his third game in charge, he managed a historic 2–0 away win against FCSB.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/detaliul-nestiut-despre-marius-croitoru-antrenorul-care-a-demolat-planul-tactic-al-fcsb-sotia-m-a-inscris-la-scoala-fara-sa-stiu-698606|title=Detaliul neștiut despre Marius Croitoru|trans-title=Unknown detail about Marius Croitoru|newspaper=Digi Sport|language=Romanian|date=30 July 2019|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref>

===FC U Craiova=== On 23 June 2022, Croitoru was appointed as head coach of Liga I club FC U Craiova, agreeing to a two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/marius-croitoru-a-semnat-cu-u-craiova-1948-durata-contractului-1761103|title=Marius Croitoru a semnat cu U Craiova 1948! Durata contractului|access-date=23 June 2022|date=23 June 2022|author=Mihaitalazarica|publisher=Digi Sport|language=ro}}</ref> On 10 October 2022, Croitoru was released of duty from FC U Craiova, after losing 0-1 against Chindia Târgoviște on the same day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/oficial-marius-croitoru-out-de-la-u-craiova-1948-comunicatul-clubului-oltean-1966079|title=OFICIAL {{!}} Marius Croitoru, OUT de la U Craiova 1948! Comunicatul clubului oltean|access-date=10 October 2022|date=10 October 2022|author=Mihaitalazarica|publisher=Digi Sport|language=ro}}</ref>

===Argeș Pitești=== On 26 October 2022, Croitoru was appointed as head coach of Liga I club Argeș Pitești, agreeing to a one-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://argesfc.ro/marius-croitoru-noul-antrenor-al-echipei-fc-arges/|title=Marius Croitoru, noul antrenor al echipei FC Argeș!|access-date=26 October 2022|date=26 October 2022|publisher=FC Argeș Pitești|language=ro}}</ref>

==Personal life== His son, David Croitoru is a football player who made his debut in professional football for Botoșani under the guidance of Marius.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/ce-decizie-a-luat-marius-croitoru-dupa-ce-fiul-sau-a-jucat-titular-contra-campioanei-cfr-930020 | title=Ce decizie a luat Marius Croitoru după ce fiul său a jucat titular contra campioanei CFR| publisher=Digiport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=What decision did Marius Croitoru make after his son played as a starter against the CFR champion| date=7 October 2020 | access-date=8 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telekomsport.ro/video-moment-unic-in-fotbal-marius-croitoru-si-a-schimbat-fiul-in-timpul-meciului-cu-cfr-cluj-din-cauza-regulii-u21-reactia-antrenorului-lui-fc-botosani-19517471 | title=Moment unic în fotbal. Marius Croitoru şi-a schimbat fiul în timpul meciului cu CFR Cluj, din cauza regulii U21. Reacţia antrenorului lui FC Botoşani| publisher=Telekomsport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Unique moment in football. Marius Croitoru substituted his son during the match against CFR Cluj, because of the U21 rule. The reaction of FC Botoșani's coach | date=18 October 2020 | access-date=8 December 2020}}</ref>

==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{WorldFootball.net|marius-croitoru}}</ref><ref name=RS>{{RomanianSoccer|499/marius-marian-croitoru}}</ref><ref>{{Soccerway|marius-marian-croitoru/11950}}</ref> |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Cupa României, Kazakhstan Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Cupa Ligii}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Dunărea Giurgiu |1998–99 |Divizia C |?||?||?||?||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||?||? |- |Turistul Pantelimon |1999–00 |Divizia C |23||2||?||?||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||23||2 |- |rowspan="7"|FCM Bacău |2000–01 |Divizia A |19||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||0 |- |2001–02 |Divizia A |11||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||2 |- |2002–03 |Divizia A |16||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||3 |- |2003–04 |Divizia A |25||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||0 |- |2004–05 |Divizia A |25||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||27||0 |- |2005–06 |Divizia A |15||2||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !111!!7!!6!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!117!!8 |- |rowspan="3"|Vaslui |2005–06 |Divizia A |14||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||2 |- |2006–07 |Liga I |18||4||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||19||4 |- !colspan="2"|Total !32!!6!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!33!!6 |- |rowspan="4"|Steaua București |2006–07 |Liga I |10||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=UEF|Appearances in UEFA Cup}}||0||colspan="2"|–||12||0 |- |2007–08 |Liga I |12||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||21||0 |- |2008–09 |Liga I |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !22!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!10!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!33!!0 |- |Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț (loan) |2007–08 |Liga I |14||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- |FCM Bacău |2008–09 |Liga II |3||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||1 |- |Politehnica Iași |2009–10 |Liga I |1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |Atyrau |2010 |Kazakhstan Premier League |27||4||2||1||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||30||5 |- |Astra Ploiești |2010–11 |Liga I |8||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||8||0 |- |FCM Bacău |2011–12 |Liga II |11||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||1 |- |rowspan="5"|Botoșani |2012–13 |Liga II |21||2||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||23||2 |- |2013–14 |Liga I |30||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||1 |- |2014–15 |Liga I |31||3||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||3 |- |2015–16 |Liga I |4||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||8||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !86!!8!!2!!0!!1!!0!!4!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!93!!8 |- |rowspan="4"|ACS Poli Timișoara |2015–16 |Liga I |13||0||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||0 |- |2016–17 |Liga I |35||2||2||0||4||2||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=PLO|Appearances in Liga I relegation/promotion play-offs}}||0||43||4 |- |2017–18 |Liga I |16||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !64!!2!!5!!0!!5!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!2!!0!!76!!4 |- |CSM Pașcani |2018–19 |Liga III |1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !403!!31!!18!!2!!6!!2!!15!!0!!2!!0!!444!!35 |} {{notelist}}

==Managerial statistics== {{Updated|24 May 2026}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Managerial record by team and tenure |- !rowspan=2|Team !rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=8|Record |- !G !! W !! D !! L !! GF !! GA !! GD !! Win % |- |align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Botoșani |align=left| 4 June 2019 |align=left| 14 June 2022 {{WDL|124|48|37|39|for=159|against=141|diff=yes}} |- |align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} FC U Craiova |align=left| 23 June 2022 |align=left| 10 October 2022 {{WDL|14|5|3|6|for=18|against=14|diff=yes}} |- |align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Argeș Pitești |align=left| 26 October 2022 |align=left| 7 March 2023 {{WDL|16|2|8|6|for=12|against=22|diff=yes}} |- |align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Botoșani |align=left|16 June 2023 |align=left|17 August 2023 {{WDL|5|0|2|3|for=4|against=7|diff=yes}} |- |align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} FC U Craiova |align=left| 28 May 2024 |align=left| 22 October 2024 {{WDL|11|3|6|2|for=9|against=10|diff=yes}} |- |align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Botoșani |align=left| 10 March 2026 |align=left| ''Present'' {{WDL|10|3|3|4|for=16|against=21|diff=yes}} |- !colspan="3"|Total {{WDLtot|180|61|59|60|for=218|against=215|diff=yes}} |}

==Honours== ===Player=== '''Botoșani''' *Liga II: 2012–13<ref name=RS/>

'''ACS Poli Timișoara''' *Cupa Ligii runner-up: 2016–17

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{RomanianSoccer|499/marius-marian-croitoru}} * {{Soccerway|marius-marian-croitoru/11950}} {{Liga I managers}} {{FC Botoșani squad}} {{Navboxes |title=Marius Croitoru managerial positions |list1= {{FC Botoșani managers}} {{FC U Craiova 1948 managers}} {{FC Argeș Pitești managers}} }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Croitoru, Marius}} Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:People from Giurgiu Category:Footballers from Giurgiu County Category:Romanian men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:FCM Bacău players Category:FC Vaslui players Category:FCSB players Category:FCSB II players Category:CSM Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț players Category:FC Politehnica Iași (1945) players Category:FC Atyrau players Category:FC Astra Giurgiu players Category:FC Botoșani players Category:ACS Poli Timișoara players Category:Liga I players Category:Liga II players Category:Liga III players Category:Kazakhstan Premier League players Category:Romanian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Kazakhstan Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Kazakhstan Category:Romanian football managers Category:FC Botoșani managers Category:FC U Craiova 1948 managers Category:FC Argeș Pitești managers Category:Liga I managers Category:Liga II managers Category:21st-century Romanian sportsmen