Nicolae Oțeleanu


Nicolae Pascu Oțeleanu was a Romanian football defender and manager, and also a World War II veteran.

Life and career

Oțeleanu was born on 6 January 1908 in Brăila, Romania. He played football as a defender for Sparta București, Sportul Studențesc București and Sporting Chișinău. Oțeleanu made one appearance for Romania on 25 April 1926, playing the entire match under coach Teofil Morariu in a 6–1 friendly victory against Bulgaria, played at the Romcomit Stadium in Bucharest.
He fought for the Romanian Armed Forces in World War II as a lieutenant colonel and was decorated for his achievements.
In 1953, Oțeleanu became a manager at Armata Craiova. He was the first coach to promote Universitatea Craiova to the second division in 1954 and in a second spell he promoted them to the first division in 1964. Subsequently, he was the first manager who promoted Electroputere Craiova to the second division in 1968. He also had coaching spells at Metalul 7 Noiembrie Craiova, Progresul Caracal and Progresul Craiova.
Oțeleanu died on 5 May 1970 in Craiova at age 62.

Honours

Military decorations

  • Ordinul "Steaua României" cu spade şi panglici de Virtute Militară, clasa a V-a '
  • Medalia Eliberarea de sub jugul fascist '
  • Crucea cehoslovacă
  • Medalia Pentru Victoria asupra Germaniei în Marele Război de Apărare a Patriei ''''

Manager

Universitatea Craiova
Electroputere Craiova