Valeriu Răchită

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Valeriu Răchită
Personal information
Date of birth (1970-05-30) 30 May 1970
Place of birth Boldești-Scăeni, Romania
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position Centre-back
Youth career
1982–1985 Petrolul Ploiești
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1989 Metalul Plopeni
1989–1990 Steaua București 2 (0)
1990–1996 Petrolul Ploiești 169 (18)
1996–1998 Steaua București 58 (5)
1998–1999 FC Onești 10 (0)
1999 Ankaragücü 5 (0)
2000 Farul Constanța 3 (0)
2000–2002 Litex Lovech 42 (3)
2002–2004 Steaua București 43 (4)
2004 FC Universitatea Craiova 1 (0)
Total 333 (31)
Managerial career
2005–2006 Petrolul Ploiești
2006 Al Ain (assistant)
2007–2009 CSM Ploiești
2009 Romania B
2009–2012 Petrolul Ploiești
2014 Romania (assistant)
2014–2015 Al-Ittihad (assistant)
2017–2018 Sportul Snagov
2019 ACS Poli Timișoara
2019 Sportul Snagov
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Valeriu "Vivi" Răchită (born 30 May 1970) is a Romanian former footballer and manager.

Club career

Răchită was born on 30 May 1970 in Boldești-Scăeni, Romania and began playing junior-level football at the age of 12 at Petrolul Ploiești.[1][2] He started playing football at senior level in 1985 at Divizia B club Metalul Plopeni.[1][2] The team suffered relegation at the end of his first season, but he stayed with the club, helping it gain promotion back after one year.[1][2] In 1989, Răchită joined Steaua București where he was teammates with Gheorghe Hagi, Marius Lăcătuș, Ștefan Iovan, Adrian Bumbescu, Nicolae Ungureanu, Ilie Dumitrescu and Dan Petrescu.[1][2] There, he made his Divizia A debut on 13 May 1990 when coach Anghel Iordănescu sent him in the 77th minute to replace Daniel Minea in a 4–2 victory against FCM Bacău.[1][3] Subsequently, Răchită went to play for Petrolul Ploiești where he scored a personal record of five goals during the 1993–94 season.[1] He helped the club win the 1994–95 Cupa României by captaining the side under coach Marin Ion for the duration of the final against Rapid București, which culminated in a penalty shoot-out victory where Răchită netted the decisive last spot kick.[1][4] Then he made four appearances in the 1995–96 Cup Winners' Cup campaign as The Yellow Wolves got past Wrexham in the qualifying round, being eliminated by Rapid Wien in the following one.[1][5]

Răchită made a comeback to Steaua in the middle of the 1996–97 season, helping them win the title by playing 19 matches and scoring once under coach Dumitru Dumitriu.[1][6][7] They also won the Cupa României, where Răchită played the full 90 minutes in the 4–2 win over Național București in the final.[1][8] Afterwards, he helped the club get past CSKA Sofia in the 1997–98 Champions League first qualifying round, but they were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the following round.[1][9] Then they continued their European campaign in the UEFA Cup, where Steaua eliminated Fenerbahçe and Bastia, being defeated in the round of 16 by Aston Villa.[1][10] During the same season, Răchită made 27 league appearances and scored three goals under coach Mihai Stoichiță, as the team won another title.[1][6] He started the next season by winning the 1998 Supercupa României, as Stoichiță used him the entire match in the 4–0 win over rivals Rapid București.[1][11] Subsequently, Răchită played four matches in the 1998–99 Champions League qualifying rounds, helping his side get past Flora in the first round, but they got eliminated in the following round by Panathinaikos against whom he scored two goals.[1][12] In the middle of that season, he left Steaua to go to FC Onești.[1]

Răchită had his first experience abroad by playing for Turkish side Ankaragücü.[1] He made his Süper Lig debut on 16 October 1999 under coach Gheorghe Mulțescu in a 2–1 home loss to Göztepe, totaling five matches in the competition.[1][13] Subsequently, Răchită returned to Romania and played only three games in the second half of the 1999–2000 season for Farul Constanța.[1] In 2000, he had his second experience abroad, when he went to Litex Lovech in Bulgaria where he was teammates with fellow Romanians Florin Prunea and Bogdan Pătrașcu.[1][14] He helped the team win the 2000-01 Bulgarian Cup, playing under coach Ferario Spasov in the 1–0 win over Velbazhd in the final.[1][15] Subsequently, Răchită played eight matches in the 2001–02 UEFA Cup campaign, as Litex eliminated Longford Town, Inter Slovnaft Bratislava and Union Berlin, being defeated in the third round by AEK Athens against whom he scored a goal.[1][16] Afterwards, he went for a third spell at Steaua.[1] He played six games in the 2003–04 UEFA Cup, as The Military Men got past Neman Grodno and Southampton before they were eliminated in the second round by Liverpool.[1][17] In the first half of the 2004–05 season, coach Victor Pițurcă used him in one match in which he scored one goal.[1][6] However, he was transferred in the middle of the season to FC Universitatea Craiova, but Steaua still managed to win the title at the end of the season without him.[1][6] Răchită made his last Divizia A appearance on 12 March 2005 in Universitatea's 2–1 home loss to Argeș Pitești, totaling 286 matches with 27 goals in the competition and 34 games with three goals in European competitions.[1][18] "U" Craiova suffered relegation at the end of that season.[1][19]

International career

Răchită represented Romania's junior teams at international level in the late 1980s.[20]

Managerial career

In September 2005, Răchită began his coaching career, as he was named head coach of Divizia B club Petrolul Ploiești after the fourth round of the season, replacing Vasile Cosarek.[21] The spell lasted until May 2006, a period in which he handed a debut to 16-year-old Constantin Budescu in senior football.[22][23] Subsequently, in the same year, he worked as an assistant coach to Anghel Iordănescu at Al Ain.[24][25] In the summer of 2007, Răchită went to coach CSM Ploiești, helping them gain promotion from the third league to the second at the end of the 2007–08 season.[26] He was dismissed in January 2009, being replaced by Marius Șumudică.[26] In 2009, he led Romania B in a 2–0 friendly loss to Portugal B.[27]

In June 2009, Răchită took over Petrolul once again, managing to gain first-league promotion at the end of the 2010–11 season.[22] He left the club in March 2012.[22] Between 2014 and 2015, Răchita served as an assistant to Victor Pițurcă at the Romania national team and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, respectively.[24][28] In the 2017–18 Liga II season, he led Sportul Snagov to a 10th place finish.[29][30] In December 2018, Răchită was appointed as the head coach of ACS Poli Timișoara, but could not save the team from relegation to the third league at the end of the season.[31] He returned to Sportul Snagov, but after four losses in the first four rounds of the 2019–20 season, Răchită withdrew from his coaching position.[22][29][30]

Personal life

Răchită's father was also a footballer and captain at Petrolistul Boldești.[2]

Career statistics

Managerial

Managerial record by team and tenure in the league championship
Team From To Record
GWDLGFGAWin %
Petrolul Ploiești 13 September 2005 27 May 2006 2615564123057.69
CSM Ploiești 25 July 2007 5 January 2009 49405411238081.63
Petrolul Ploiești 30 June 2009 28 March 2012 8540252012675047.06
Sportul Snagov 1 July 2017 30 June 2018 36129154537033.33
ACS Poli Timișoara 15 January 2019 30 June 2019 175481422029.41
Sportul Snagov 16 July 2019 31 August 2019 4004115000.00
Total 2171124857339210051.61

Honours

Player

Metalul Plopeni

Petrolul Ploiești

Steaua București

Litex Lovech

Manager

CSM Ploiești

Petrolul Ploiești

References

  1. Valeriu Răchită at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
  2. "Amintirile lui Valeriu Răchită de la Steaua: "În fața mea erau Lăcătuș și Hagi. Mă mai trimiteau după ghete, după cremă, mai căram trei genți"" [Valeriu Răchită's memories from Steaua: "In front of me were Lăcătuș and Hagi. They would send me for boots, for cream, I was carrying three more bags"] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  3. "Steaua București vs. FCM Bacău 4–2". Labtof. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  4. "Fantasticele culise ale "lupilor"! Amintiri inedite de la celebra finală a Cupei României din '95, Petrolul - Rapid" [The fantastic behind-the-scenes of the "wolves"! Unpublished memories from the famous Romanian Cup final of '95, Petrolul - Rapid] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Romanian Cup – Season 1994–1995". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  5. "Valeriu Răchită. Cup Winners Cup Qualifiers 1995/1996". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită. Cup Winners Cup 1995/1996". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  6. "Romania National Champions". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  7. "A fost căpitan la Steaua și a dezvăluit un blat incredibil cu o altă echipă din România" [He was captain at Steaua and revealed an incredible trump card with another team from Romania] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 5 January 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  8. "Romanian Cup – Season 1996–1997". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  9. "Steaua - TSKA Sofia, in play-off-ul Ligii Europa" [Steaua - TSKA Sofia, in the Europa League play-off] (in Romanian). Fcsteaua.ro. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită. Champions League qual. 1997/1998". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  10. "Măcelul de la Bastia! Cea mai traumatizantă experiență pentru roș-albaștri! "Lăcătuș și-a luat bătaie cât pentru toată cariera!"" [The massacre at Bastia! The most traumatic experience for the red-blues! "Lăcătuș took a beating for his whole career!"] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită. UEFA Cup 1997/1998". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  11. "Superupa României – Season 1998". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  12. "Valeriu Răchită. Champions League qual. 1998/1999". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  13. "Valeriu Răchită. SüperLig 1999/2000". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Ankaragücü - Göztepe S.K. 1:2". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  14. "Florin Bratu: "La Lovech sunt la fel de puțini spectatori ca la Dinamo"" [Florin Bratu: "There are as few spectators at Lovech as at Dinamo"] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Litex Lovech Squad 2000/2001". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  15. "Купа на България 2000/01" [Bulgarian Cup 2000/01] (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian-football.com. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Алея на славата - Валериу Ракита" [Walk of fame - Valeriu Răchită]. Pfclitex.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  16. "Valeriu Răchită. UEFA Cup qual. 2001/2002". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită. UEFA Cup 2001/2002". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  17. "Saints held by Steaua". bbc.co.uk. 24 September 2003.
    "Steaua stun Saints". bbc.co.uk. 15 October 2003.
    "Valeriu Răchită. UEFA Cup qual. 2003/2004". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită. UEFA Cup 2003/2004". WorldFootball. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  18. "Valeriu Răchită profile". Labtof. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  19. "Craiova a retrogradat, deși a avut în lot 17 jucători de națională. Mulți și degeaba" [Craiova was relegated, despite having 17 national team players in the squad. Many and in vain] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  20. "Fost fotbalist al Stelei, dezvăluiri incredibile din Coreea de Nord: "Ne-au adus carne de câine, Răducioiu și-a vomitat mațele"" [Former Steaua footballer, incredible revelations from North Korea: "They brought us dog meat, Răducioiu vomited his guts"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Cum a ajuns o națională de fotbal de juniori a României să mănânce carne de câine. Unul dintre fotbaliști a vomitat instant" [How a Romanian junior national football team ended up eating dog meat.] (in Romanian). Ziare.com. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  21. "Rachita, antrenor la Petrolul" [Rachita, coach at Petrolul] (in Romanian). Gds.ro. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  22. "Valeriu Răchită, din nou antrenor la Petrolul? Alți trei tehnicieni sunt pe listă" [Valeriu Răchită, coach at Petrolul again? Three other technicians are on the list] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  23. "Un "veteran" din Superligă, numit de Vivi Răchită cel mai talentat jucător pe care l-a antrenat: "Incredibil!" Pompiliu Stoica, Daniel Oprița și Florentin Dumitru au rămas muți de uimire" [A "veteran" from the Super League, called by Vivi Răchită the most talented player he has trained: "Incredible!" Pompiliu Stoica, Daniel Oprița and Florentin Dumitru were left speechless with amazement] (in Romanian). Iamsport.ro. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  24. "Răchită, noul secund al lui Pițurcă la echipa națională. I-a luat locul lui Florin Marin" [Răchită, Pițurcă's new assistant at the national team. He replaced Florin Marin] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  25. "Scenariu surpriza! Iordanescu NU pleaca: ce planuri are Razvan Burleanu pentru el si de ce nu si-a anuntat demisia dupa meciul cu Albania" [Surprise scenario! Iordanescu is NOT leaving: what plans does Razvan Burleanu have for him and why he didn't announce his resignation after the match with Albania] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Ce planuri are FRF pentru Anghel Iordănescu" [What plans does FRF have for Anghel Iordănescu?] (in Romanian). Antena3.ro. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  26. "Povestea Astrei, echipa care mai are nevoie de un punct pentru titlu. De la muncitorii olandezi, la locul cumpărat de la Internațional Pitești. În 2005, echipa nu exista! Ping-pong-ul cu Petrolul și performanța lui Șumi" [The story of Astra, the team that still needs one more point for the title. From the Dutch workers, to the place bought from Internațional Pitești. In 2005, the team did not exist! Ping-pong with Petrolul and Șumi's performance] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită nu mai este antrenorul lui CSM Ploieşti!" [Valeriu Răchită is no longer the coach of CSM Ploiesti!] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  27. "Răchită este antrenorul României B! Ce crezi?" [Răchită is the coach of Romania B! What do you think?] (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Lotul Romaniei B pentru meciul cu Portugalia B" [Romania B squad for the match against Portugal B] (in Romanian). Onlinesport.ro. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Portugalia B – România B 2-0" (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  28. "Valeriu Răchită este noul antrenor secund al naționalei" [Valeriu Răchită is the new assistant coach of the national team] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită este noul antrenor secund al lui Pițurcă la echipa națională" [Valeriu Răchită is Piţurcă's new assistant coach at the national team] (in Romanian). Mediafax.ro. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Pițurcă a rămas în România! Răchită nu a mai acceptat să fie în stafful său" [Pițurcă stayed in Romania! Răchită no longer accepted to be on his staff] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Vivi Răchită și-a dat demisia de la Al Ittihad, după ce s-a certat cu Victor Pițurcă" [Vivi Răchită resigned from Al Ittihad after quarreling with Victor Pițurcă] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  29. "Valeriu Răchită revine la Sportul Snagov: "Nu pot să stau acasă" + Ilfovenii vor avea stadion de Liga 1" [Valeriu Răchită returns to Sportul Snagov: "I can't stay at home" + Ilfovians will have a League 1 stadium] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  30. "Valeriu Răchită s-a retras din postura de antrenor al Sportului Snagov: "Până la noi ordine o să rămân manager general". Favoritul să îi ia locul" [Valeriu Răchită has retired from the position of coach of Sportul Snagov: "Until further notice, I will remain general manager." The favorite to take his place] (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  31. "Vivi Răchită, noul antrenor al ACS Poli! A fost convins de primarul Timișoarei cu un nou stadion: "Asta mi-a promis"" [Vivi Răchită, the new coach of ACS Poli! He was convinced by the mayor of Timișoara with a new stadium: "That's what he promised me"] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Vivi Răchită a preluat o echipă de liga secundă și are planuri mari: "Ne apucăm de treabă" + Se pregătește o fuziune și stadion nou" [Vivi Răchită has taken over a second league team and has big plans: "We're getting to work" + A merger and new stadium are being prepared] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită, apropourile și salvarea aparențelor. Declarațiile post-retrogradare matematică a echipei ACS Poli" [Valeriu Răchită, the apropos and saving appearances. The statements after the mathematical relegation of the ACS Poli team] (in Romanian). Liga2.prosport.ro. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Valeriu Răchită, la 49 de ani. Care a fost cel mai frumos cadou și unde ar fi lucrat dacă nu ar fi fost fotbalul" [Valeriu Răchită, at 49. What was the best gift and where would he have worked if it weren't for football?] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
    "Radu Birlică a demisionat, dar încă nu a plecat. Când are loc Adunarea Generală la ACS Poli şi ce soartă poate avea clubul" [Radu Birlică resigned, but he hasn't left yet. When is the General Assembly at ACS Poli and what fate could the club have?] (in Romanian). Pressalert.ro. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2026.