FCSB official reacts to Vlad Chiricheș retirement announcement

Vlad Chiricheș announced his decision to retire from professional football during an appearance on the GSP podcast "2 la 1". The 36-year-old defender made the statement public after his contract with FCSB ended at the conclusion of the previous season.

Mihai Stoica, the board president of FCSB, expressed surprise at the timing of the announcement. Stoica noted that he was aware of Chiricheș's intent to continue playing just months prior to this declaration.

Chiricheș explained that he has essentially given up on playing in official matches. He cited the difficulty of lowering his competitive level or moving away from his family as primary reasons for ending his career.

The former captain received offers from clubs such as Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe and AFC Chindia Târgoviște. He rejected these proposals to avoid compromising his standards or relocating far from his home in Bucharest.

Stoica identified significant logistical challenges in organizing a formal retirement match for the defender. He pointed to low public interest and scheduling conflicts as major obstacles to hosting such an event.

Despite the difficulties, Stoica praised Chiricheș as the most professional footballer he had encountered. He highlighted the player's seriousness and dedication despite dealing with numerous medical issues throughout his career.

Chiricheș won seven trophies during his time at FCSB. His haul included four league titles and three Super Cups, along with participation in three Europa League spring campaigns.

The defender previously played abroad for Tottenham in England, as well as Napoli, Sassuolo, and Cremonese in Italy. Tottenham paid a record 9.5 million euros for his transfer from FCSB in 2013.

Chiricheș accumulated 27 appearances in the Premier League and 110 matches in Serie A. His total career transfer fees amounted to 29.6 million euros.

On the international stage, he earned 78 caps for the Romania national team. He served as captain during the Euro 2016 tournament and was named Romanian Footballer of the Year in 2013 by Gazeta Sporturilor.

Looking toward the future, Chiricheș has begun B license coaching courses at Coverciano. He aims to transition into a technical role within the sport.

He declined a management offer from FCSB owner Gigi Becali. Chiricheș stated that he does not see himself in a management role within Romanian football.

Chiricheș rated his own football career a perfect 10 out of 10. He mentioned that an extended vacation with his family helped make the decision to retire less difficult.

Stoica also commented on the broader state of fan engagement. He expressed disappointment at the total absenteeism during a recent match between Rapid and Steaua, suggesting current generations lack interest in historical rivalries.