Șumudică requests meeting with Gaziantep amid CFR Cluj uncertainty

Marius Șumudică has requested a personal meeting with Gaziantep officials regarding a potential coaching move. Turkish journalist Ali Budak reported that the CFR Cluj manager wants a face-to-face discussion with club representatives as soon as possible. It remains unclear whether Gaziantep officials will take concrete steps to bring him back to the bench.

The request comes during a period of uncertainty at CFR Cluj. The team risks a three-point deduction in the SuperLiga, a sanction that could influence Șumudică’s future after he previously threatened to resign if such a penalty were imposed. Following the match against Universitatea Craiova, Șumudică stated that any potential point deduction is the club's responsibility rather than his own.

Gaziantep have already dismissed two head coaches this season, having parted ways first with Mirel Rădoi and subsequently with Orhan Ak. After 11 rounds of the Turkish championship, the team occupies 16th place, the first position in the direct relegation zone. They have accumulated only eight points from two wins, two draws and seven defeats.

Șumudică is familiar with the club and Turkish football, having previously managed Gaziantep during two separate tenures spanning 2019-2021 and 2023-2024. He has also coached Kayserispor, Rizespor and Malatyaspor in Turkey. The current Gaziantep squad includes Romanian players Alex Maxim and Deian Sorescu.