Ştefan Iovan

Ştefan Iovan (born 23 August 1960 at Moţăţei, Dolj, Romania) is a former football player, winner of European Cup with Steaua Bucharest in 1986, when he also was the team's captain. He is now assistant coach of Victor Piţurcă, currently at Romania.

On 25 March 2008 he was decorated by the president of România, Traian Băsescu with Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" — (The Order "The Sportive Merit") class II for his part in winning the of 1986 European Cup Final.

Career as player

Iovan made his debut at CSM Reşiţa in 1977, before joining the squad of Luceafărul Bucharest one year later. Luceafărul was then a team formed by the Romanian Football Federation to gather the young talents of Romanian football and did not play in any league. Returns to Reşiţa in 1979, but in the winter of 1981 joins Steaua Bucharest where he plays for ten years, until 1991.

In 1991 joins the English club Brighton & Hove Albion, but returns to Steaua in 1992 for half-a-season only before signing with Rapid Bucharest, then Electroputere Craiova in 1995. His last season as a professional football player was 1996 - 97 with CSM Reşiţa.

Iovan played a total of 365 games in Divizia A and scored 20 goals. He was champion of Divizia A in five occasions and also won the Romanian Cup four times.

In 1987 Iovan won the European Supercup with Steaua.

International career

At the international level, he played for Romania in 35 games and scored three goals. He also played 12 times for the Romanian Under 21 side.

Coaching career

After retiring from football he was assistant coach at Steaua Bucharest, however he led the team once from the position of head coach. He is currently in charge at Romania as assistant manager.