Rapid Bucharest appoints Marius Burcescu as commercial director while Daniel Pancu nears a coaching return

Rapid Bucharest has restructured its executive team, eliminating the CEO post and creating a commercial director role. Marius Burcescu, with 18 years of sales experience and no prior football‑club background, signed a contract to start on 1 June. He will oversee ticketing, media, and marketing for the club.

Former CFR Cluj coach Daniel Pancu, who led the team to a league podium and a Conference League spot, announced his departure from the club and has been in talks with Rapid. Pancu said he is willing to forfeit his release clause and meet several conditions to return to the team where he spent much of his playing career. He described the move as a sentimental call, likening the club’s infrastructure to “Real Madrid” and emphasizing his desire to help Rapid reach the playoffs. The negotiations follow public criticism of CFR Cluj’s management and Pancu’s sharp comments about the club’s leadership.