Sporting Liești managed for the first time a qualification in the play-off phase of the 3rd Football League, and coach Cătălin Savu (lecturer at “Dănărea de Jos” University) is delighted with the success of his students. Professor Savu is also the coordinator of the UEFA C license in Galati, but also an active promoter of the idea of building a new stadium in our city.
– What does qualifying for the play-offs mean to you?
– The joy is immense for the local community, plus among the coaches and everyone in the club. It is the first time in the club’s history, four years since this format has existed, that the team qualifies for the play-offs. We really wanted to get here, even though our stated goal at the start of the season was to finish in the top six. We knew we had good players, maybe we lacked that mentality that would make us able to fight on an equal footing, in the decisive moments, with the financially stronger teams. But we said that this year we can take the step, we have shown that we have the necessary value and that we have prepared very well throughout the year.
– Can Sporting supply players to Steel or higher league teams?
– We are a training club, we don’t have a fantastic budget to buy any specific player. We collaborate very well with all the clubs that have republican junior teams, with the Oțelul Football School, with LPS, with Suporter Club Oțelul. At the same time, we are looking to attract talented players from the neighboring counties, Vrancea, Brăila or Tulcea. We want to give young players a chance and be a stepping stone for those who want to get that chance to become footballers at a much higher level. We would like to be able to give players directly to the Steel in League I, even if it is very difficult, but in League II I think there are some components of our squad who can make the step.
– With what thoughts do you approach this year’s play-off phase?
– We want to gain experience and prove once again that we can fight on an equal footing with financially stronger teams, and next season we can try a more daring goal. If we keep the same core of players, with a few small reinforcements, I think we can do more.
– How much is a new stadium needed in Galati?
– We need a sports complex, not just a stadium. We have at the “Dănărea” Stadium, where you can connect to the “Siderurgistul” base. I said it a long time ago, when there was only the National Arena in the country, that a stadium was needed. And it turned out that modern stadiums appeared in all the powerful cities, so I still want them to be in Galați as well. If the Steel happen to reach a European cup, they would have to play in another city and the wonderful supporters of the team do not deserve to go through this again.
– How is the licensing of coaches in Galati?
– We have students from Galati, but also from the surrounding counties, where there is no representative of the federation for licensing. This year all 25 places are occupied and there are chances that in the fall we will start a new session. My objective is to be able to deliver the B License to Galati, and I would see that in connection with the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. We need sports and motor performance in the faculty, it’s a dream of mine that I want to come true. Especially since it is heard that in the coming years they want to impose, from the European level, that coaches have higher education.
