{{short description|Romanian footballer and manager}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Paul Codrea | image = RO B ROMAUT Paul Codrea 2.jpg | image_size = 200 | caption = Codrea in 2009 | full_name = Paul Constantin Codrea<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/372733.pdf |title=Booking List: UEFA Cup 2005 |publisher=UEFA |page=2 |date=28 November 2005 |access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|4|4}} | birth_place = Timișoara, Romania | height = 1.74 m | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Dumbrăvița (youth) | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1996 | youthclubs1 = LPS Banatul Timișoara | youthyears2 = 1996–1997 | youthclubs2 = Dinamo București | years1 = 1997–2000 | clubs1 = Dinamo București | caps1 = 2 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 1997–1999 | clubs2 = → Politehnica Timișoara{{efn|name="FCP"|The statistics for the 1997–98 Divizia B season are unavailable.<ref name=RS>{{RomanianSoccer|431/paul-constantin-codrea}}</ref>}} (loan) | caps2 = 30 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 1999–2000 | clubs3 = → Argeș Pitești (loan) | caps3 = 34 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 2001–2003 | clubs4 = Genoa | caps4 = 50 | goals4 = 2 | years5 = 2003–2006 | clubs5 = Palermo | caps5 = 32 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 2004 | clubs6 = → Perugia (loan) | caps6 = 12 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2004–2005 | clubs7 = → Torino (loan) | caps7 = 35 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2006–2012 | clubs8 = Siena | caps8 = 109 | goals8 = 2 | years9 = 2011 | clubs9 = → Bari (loan) | caps9 = 6 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2012 | clubs10 = Rapid București | caps10 = 11| goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2013 | clubs11 = ASU Politehnica Timișoara | caps11 = 2| goals11 = 0 | totalcaps = 323 | totalgoals = 11 | nationalyears1 = 2000 | nationalteam1 = Romania U21 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2000–2010 | nationalteam2 = Romania | nationalcaps2 = 44 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | manageryears1 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs1 = ASU Politehnica Timișoara | manageryears2 = 2015–2017 | managerclubs2 = Ghiroda | manageryears3 = 2017–2018 | managerclubs3 = Ripensia Timișoara | manageryears4 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs4 = Ghiroda | manageryears5 = 2020–2023 | managerclubs5 = ASU Politehnica Timișoara (youth) | manageryears6 = 2023 | managerclubs6 = ASU Politehnica Timișoara (sporting director) | manageryears7 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs7 = ASU Politehnica Timișoara | manageryears8 = 2025– | managerclubs8 = Dumbrăvița (youth) }} '''Paul Constantin Codrea''' ({{IPA|ro|ˈpa.ul ˈkodre̯a}}; born 4 April 1981) is a Romanian football manager and former player, currently youth coach at Liga II club Dumbrăvița.
==Club career== ===Early career=== Codrea was born on 4 April 1981 in Timișoara, Romania and began playing junior-level football in his hometown at LPS Banatul.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara>{{cite web | url=https://ziarultimisoara.ro/sport/346-caci-alb-imi-este-sufletul-violeta-inima-paul-codrea-antrenorul-sufletelor-noastre | title="Căci alb îmi este sufletul, violetă inima"... Paul Codrea, antrenorul sufletelor noastre| publisher=Ziarultimisoara.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title="Because my soul is white, my heart is purple" ... Paul Codrea, the coach of our souls| date=28 March 2014 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> He started his senior career at Dinamo București, making his Divizia A debut on 1 March 1997 when coach Cornel Țălnar sent him to replace Cătălin Hîldan in a 1–0 loss to Gloria Bistrița.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref name=GSP>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/paul-codrea-interviu-incomod-despre-problemele-fotbalului-romanesc-614799.html | title=Paul Codrea, interviu incomod despre problemele fotbalului românesc: "Nu puteam accepta ca oamenii puși politic la un club să-mi spună ce să fac!" + povești savuroase din Italia| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paul Codrea, awkward interview about the problems of Romanian football: "I couldn't accept that people put politically in a club would tell me what to do!" + delicious stories from Italy| date=2 November 2020 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Labtof|url=https://www.labtof.ro/romania/1996-1997/divizia-a/30/dinamo-bucuresti-2-vs-ceahlaul-piatra-neamt-7-14066/|title=Dinamo București vs Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt 4-1|access-date=23 October 2025}}</ref> After playing one more Divizia A game for Dinamo, the club loaned him to Politehnica Timișoara in Divizia B.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/> Two seasons later, he returned to Divizia A football, being loaned by Dinamo to Argeș Pitești.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/stroe-fc-arges-nu-a-fost-implicat-in-transferul-lui-codrea-la-genoa-3710063 | title=Stroe: FC Argeș nu a fost implicat în transferul lui Codrea la Genoa| publisher=Mediafax.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Stroe: FC Argeș was not involved in Codrea's transfer to Genoa| date=7 January 2009 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref>
===Career in Italy=== In 2001, Codrea moved abroad, signing with Serie B club Genoa for a transfer fee of $2.75 million, where he was teammates with fellow Romanians Claudiu Niculescu, Adrian Mihalcea, Valentin Năstase and Marius Sava.<ref name=RS/><ref name=GSP/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.realitatea.net/stiri/ultimele-stiri/lps-timisoara-cere-clubului-dinamo-275-000-de-euro-din-transferul-lui-paul-codrea-la-genoa_5dcc919d406af85273c9cacf | title=LPS Timișoara cere clubului Dinamo 275.000 de euro din transferul lui Paul Codrea la Genoa| publisher=Realitatea.net| language=Romanian |trans-title=LPS Timișoara demands from the Dinamo club 275,000 euros from the transfer of Paul Codrea to Genoa| date=10 February 2009 | access-date=7 June 2022}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/ultima-ora-ani-grei-de-inchisoare-pentru-greii-fotbalului-romanesc-copos-5-ani-de-inchisoare-in-dosarul.html | title=Cele 12 transferuri care au luat milioane de la stat. Borcea, Meme, Copos si fratii Becali, ani grei de inchisoare! Ce suma uriasa trebuie recuperata| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The 12 transfers that took millions from the state. Borcea, Meme, Copos and the Becali brothers, hard years in prison! What a huge amount to recover| date=13 November 2012 | access-date=7 June 2022}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/debut-nefercit-pentru-claudiu-niculescu-50539 | title=Debut nefercit pentru Claudiu Niculescu| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Unlucky debut for Claudiu Niculescu| date=15 September 2002 | access-date=25 September 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/nastase-si-codrea-raman-la-genoa-1338233.html | title=Nastase si Codrea raman la Genoa| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Nastase and Codrea stay in Genoa| date=19 July 2002| access-date=25 September 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/sport/genoa-a-pus-ochii-pe-claudiu-niculescu~ni2o4u | title=Genoa a pus ochii pe Claudiu Niculescu| publisher=Ziaruldeiasi.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Genoa set their sights on Claudiu Niculescu| date=27 August 2002| access-date=25 September 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/sport/quot-codrea-este-un-jucator-genialquot~ni2nb4 | title=Codrea este un jucator genial| publisher=Ziaruldeiasi.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Codrea is a brilliant player| date=10 August 2002| access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref> He later joined Palermo for a transfer fee of approximately €2.5 million plus the forward Giuseppe Mascara.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref name=GSP/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.curentul.info/sport/paul-codrea-a-fost-transferat-la-palermo/| title=Paul Codrea a fost transferat la Palermo| publisher=Curentul.info.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paul Codrea was transferred to Palermo| date=3 February 2003 | access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref> Codrea reunited at ''The Eagles'' with Năstase and in the first half of the 2003–04 season he helped the team win the Serie B title, thus gaining promotion to Serie A.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref name=GSP/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gds.ro/Sport/2003-05-10/Claudiu-Niculescu-si-Adrian-Mihalcea-se-lupta-cu-Paul-Codrea-si-Vali-Nastase/| title=Claudiu Niculescu si Adrian Mihalcea se lupta cu Paul Codrea si Vali Nastase| publisher=Gds.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Claudiu Niculescu and Adrian Mihalcea are fighting with Paul Codrea and Vali Nastase| date=10 May 2003 | access-date=25 September 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/codrea-a-primit-note-mai-mari-decat-chivu-dupa-1334385.html| title=Codrea a primit note mai mari decat Chivu dupa meciul AS Roma - Palermo| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Codrea received higher grades than Chivu after the AS Roma - Palermo match| date=6 December 2003 | access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref> In January 2004, Codrea was loaned by Palermo, together with Franco Brienza to Serie A team, Perugia in exchange for the transfer of Fabio Grosso.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.apropotv.ro/paul-codrea-a-fost-imprumutat-la-perugia-2170432| title=Paul Codrea a fost împrumutat la Perugia| publisher=Apropo.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paul Codrea was loaned to Perugia| date=30 January 2004 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> He made his Serie A debut on 1 February 2004 under coach Serse Cosmi in Perugia's 2–2 draw against Parma.<ref name=RS/><ref name=WF>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe895/paul-codrea/co111/italy-serie-a/se3162/2003-2004/club-matches/|title=Paul Codrea. Serie A 2003/2004|access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe895/paul-codrea/|title=AC Perugia - Bologna FC 4:2|access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref> He netted his first goal in the competition on 29 February in a 4–2 home win over Bologna.<ref name=RS/><ref name=WF/> Afterwards, Codrea was loaned once again by Palermo to Torino for the 2004–05 Serie B season in which he scored one goal in 35 appearances, helping them gain promotion to Serie A, which was later revoked because of the club's financial problems.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1219642-codrea-retrogradat.htm| title=Codrea a retrogradat| publisher=Hotnews.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paul Codrea relegated| date=16 July 2005 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> He returned to Palermo, where he made six appearances in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup campaign as the club reached the round of 16 where they were eliminated by Schalke 04.<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe895/paul-codrea/co132/uefa-europa-league/se4151/2005-2006/club-matches/|title=Paul Codrea. UEFA Cup 2005/2006|access-date=5 May 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.gds.ro/Sport/2006-03-18/Sevilla,-oras-romanesc/| title=Sevilla, oras românesc| publisher=Gds.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Sevilla, Romanian city| date=18 March 2006 | access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref> Codrea definitively left Palermo when he signed with Siena in 2006, where he played in over 100 Serie A matches until 2012, and for a short while was teammates with compatriot Cosmin Moți.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref name=GSP/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/stranieri/moti-va-purta-tricoul-cu-numarul-16-la-siena.html| title=Moti va purta tricoul cu numarul 16 la Siena!| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Moti will wear shirt number 16 in Siena!| date=4 September 2008 | access-date=25 September 2023}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/italia/moti-spectator-si-codrea-titular-in-siena-1-0-roma.html| title=Moti spectator si Codrea titular in Siena 1-0 Roma!| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Moti spectator and Codrea starting in Siena 1-0 Roma!| date=5 December 2008 | access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref> In 2011 he was loaned to Bari for half a year.<ref name=RS/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://romanialibera.ro/special/paul-codrea-imprumutat-la-bari-215262/| title=Paul Codrea, împrumutat la Bari| publisher=Romanialibera.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paul Codrea, loaned at Bari| date=31 January 2011 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> His last Serie A appearance took place on 7 January 2012 in Siena's 4–0 home win over Lazio, totaling 133 games with three goals in the competition and 111 matches with six goals in Serie B.<ref name=RS/><ref name=GSP/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe895/paul-codrea/co111/italy-serie-a/se7124/2011-2012/club-matches/|title=Paul Codrea. Serie A 2011/2012|access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>
===Late career=== In July 2012, Codrea returned to Romania and joined Rapid București where on 2 December he played his last game in the Romanian first league in a 1–0 away loss to FC Vaslui, having a total of 47 appearances with one goal in the competition.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref name=GSP/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/exclusiv-codrea-a-semnat-cu-rapid-vezi-termenii-intelegerii-9891661| title=Codrea a semnat cu Rapid! Vezi termenii înțelegerii| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Codrea signed with Rapid! See the terms of the agreement| date=19 July 2012 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> In the winter of 2013, he returned home at Politehnica Timișoara, being a player-manager.<ref name=RS/><ref name=timisoara/><ref name=GSP/><ref name=digi>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/paul-codrea-antrenor-jucator-la-asu-poli-timisoara-41729| title=Paul Codrea, antrenor-jucător la ASU Poli Timişoara| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paul Codrea, coach-player at ASU Poli Timişoara| date=11 March 2013 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref>
==International career== Codrea played 44 games and scored one goal for Romania, making his debut on 15 November 2000 under coach László Bölöni in a 2–1 friendly victory against FR Yugoslavia.<ref name=EU>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=3714|title=Paul Codrea |publisher=European Football|access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=24558|title=Romania – FR Yugoslavia 1:1 |publisher=European Football|access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> His sole goal for the national team came on his fourth appearance, in a 3–0 friendly victory against Lithuania.<ref name=EU/> Codrea played four games in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, five in the Euro 2004 qualifiers and two during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.<ref name=EU/> Afterwards, he played eight games in the successful Euro 2008 qualifiers.<ref name=EU/> He was used by coach Victor Pițurcă in all three games in the eventual group stage exit in the Euro 2008 final tournament.<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/euro-2008-grupa-mortii-franta-italia-mutu-penalty-lobont-fabulos-742510.html |title=România la Euro 2008, în "Grupa morții". Imaginile memorabile cu Cristi Chivu la imn, Adrian Mutu de la extaz la agonie, plus nedreptatea lui Ciprian Marica! |trans-title=Romania at Euro 2008, in the "Group of Death". The memorable images with Cristi Chivu at the anthem, Adrian Mutu from ecstasy to agony, plus the injustice of Ciprian Marica! |publisher=Gsp.ro |language=ro |date=10 June 2024 |access-date=17 July 2025}}</ref> In the first game, which was a 0–0 draw against France, he came as a substitute and replaced Răzvan Cociș in the 64th minute.<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=2660|title=Romania 1-1 France|publisher=European Football|access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> In the second he played the entire match in the 1–1 draw against Italy and in the third he was a starter, being replaced in the 72nd minute by Nicolae Dică in the 2–0 loss to Netherlands.<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=2659|title=Italy 1-1 Romania|publisher=European Football|access-date=7 June 2022}}<br>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=2658|title=Netherlands 2-0 Romania|publisher=European Football|access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> Codrea played four games during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and made his last appearance for the national team on 3 March 2010 in a 2–0 friendly loss to Israel.<ref name=EU/>
On 25 March 2008, Codrea was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu, for his performance in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, where Romania managed to qualify to the final tournament. He received Medalia "Meritul Sportiv" – ("The Sportive Merit" Medal) class III.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Monitorul_Oficial_al_Rom%C3%A2niei._Partea_I_2008-03-28%2C_nr._241.pdf |title=DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv |publisher=Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241 |date=28 March 2008 |page=3 |access-date= 8 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://old.presidency.ro/index.php?_RID=det&tb=date_arhiva&id=10313&_PRID=arh |title=Decorarea unor personalități ale fotbalului românesc |publisher=Administrația Prezidențială |date= 25 March 2008 |access-date= 8 June 2022}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===International=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="11"|Romania |2000||3||0 |- |2001||6||1 |- |2002||6||0 |- |2003||3||0 |- |2004||1||0 |- |2005||1||0 |- |2006||3||0 |- |2007||9||0 |- |2008||5||0 |- |2009||6||0 |- |2010||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!44!!1 |}
===International goals=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%" |- ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | 1 || 28 February 2001 || GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus || {{fb|Lithuania}} || 0–'''3''' || 0–3 || Friendly<ref name=EU/> |- |}
==Managerial career== He signed with fifth league team ASU Politehnica Timișoara in 2013, replacing Antonio Foale who became General Manager.<ref name=digi/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/special/codrea-prezentat-oficial-ca-antrenor-al-asu-politehnica-vreau-sa-crestem-impreuna-10666988| title=Codrea, prezentat oficial ca antrenor al ASU Politehnica: "Vreau să creștem împreună"| publisher=Liga2.prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Codrea, officially presented as coach of ASU Politehnica: "I want us to grow together"| date=14 March 2013 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> He debuted with a 3–0 victory over Gran-Plaz Liebling on 18 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/video-codrea-a-castigat-primul-meci-pentru-asu-politehnica-timisoara-43195| title=Codrea a câștigat primul meci pentru ASU Politehnica Timișoara| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Codrea won the first match for ASU Politehnica Timișoara| date=19 March 2013 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref> He resigned on 29 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sporttim.ro/fotbal/paul-codrea-antrenor-principal-la-cs-ghiroda| title=Paul Codrea, antrenor principal la CS Ghiroda. Prim meci acasă, în etapa 8, cu Lorena, nu în Plopi, ci la Ghiroda: revenire Mateescu| publisher=Sporttim.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Paul Codrea, head coach at CS Ghiroda. First match at home, in the 8th round, with Lorena, not in Plopi, but in Ghiroda: Mateescu returns| date=9 September 2015 | access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref>
==Honours== ===Player=== '''Palermo''' *Serie B: 2003–04<ref name=RS/>
===Manager=== '''Ghiroda''' *Liga IV – Timiș County: 2016–17
==Notes== {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{NFT|5410}} *{{WorldFootball.net|paul-codrea}} *{{TuttoCalciatori|Codrea_Paul_Costantin}} *[https://www.labtof.ro/profil/paul-codrea-10001/ Paul Codrea] at Labtof.ro
{{Navboxes |title= Paul Codrea managerial positions |list1= {{SSU Politehnica Timișoara managers}} }} {{Romania squad UEFA Euro 2008}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Codrea, Paul}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Timișoara Category:Romanian men's footballers Category:Romania men's international footballers Category:Romania men's under-21 international footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:UEFA Euro 2008 players Category:Liga I players Category:Liga II players Category:FC Dinamo București players Category:FC Politehnica Timișoara players Category:FC Argeș Pitești players Category:FC Rapid București players Category:SSU Politehnica Timișoara players Category:Serie A players Category:Serie B players Category:Genoa CFC players Category:Palermo FC players Category:AC Perugia Calcio players Category:Torino FC players Category:Siena FC SSD players Category:SSC Bari players Category:Romanian expatriate men's footballers Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:Romanian football managers Category:Liga II managers Category:SSU Politehnica Timișoara managers Category:FC Ripensia Timișoara managers Category:21st-century Romanian sportsmen