Giovanni Becali says dispute led to Laurențiu Reghecampf's Steaua exit

Giovanni Becali stated in an interview that Laurențiu Reghecampf was dismissed from Steaua more than two decades ago due to tensions involving himself, Gigi Becali and then-coach Victor Pițurcă. Giovanni Becali said that at the time Gigi Becali was not yet the club owner but held significant influence in decision-making at Steaua.

Giovanni Becali said Victor Pițurcă dismissed Reghecampf and other players he represented because they had contract clauses negotiated by him. He named Reghecampf among those affected and attributed the dismissals to friction over these contractual terms rather than sporting reasons.

Giovanni Becali claimed he stopped speaking with Victor Pițurcă and Gigi Becali around 2000 following these disputes. He stated that he had previously been friends with Pițurcă but has not spoken with him since that period, and communication with Gigi Becali also ceased at that time.

Following the dismissal, Giovanni Becali stated he transferred Laurențiu Reghecampf to Litex in Bulgaria. He later said he moved Reghecampf from Litex to Cottbus in Germany, beginning a lengthy spell abroad for the player.

Laurențiu Reghecampf had played for Steaua between 1997 and 2000, appearing in over 70 matches before his departure. As FCSB coach, he later won Romanian titles in 2012–2013 and 2013–2014, the 2013 Supercup and the 2015–2016 League Cup across two tenures.

After moving to Germany, Laurențiu Reghecampf played over 130 matches for Cottbus between 2000 and 2004, scoring 17 goals. This period marked the start of nearly a decade playing in German football following his exit from Steaua.