Constantin Rădulescu

Constantin "Costel" Rădulescu (5 October 1896 – 14 June 1981) was a Romanian footballer and manager who rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s. At one time or another Rădulescu had been associated with the Romania national team as either coach, manager or administrator within the Romanian Football Federation between 1923 and 1938.

First World War activity and playing career

Rădulescu was born on 5 October 1896 in Bucharest, Romania. He served as an officer in the Romanian Army during World War I, fighting at the front in the Battle of Mărăști between 1916 and 1918, where he received injuries to his right arm. In 1919 he featured as a goalkeeper for the Romanian army team in the Inter-Allied Games held at the Pershing Stadium in Paris.

After the end of the war, Rădulescu played football for Olympia București and Tricolor București until 1923. His second spell started in 1928 in the Friendship Cup where he lost with 3–1 to Yugoslavia. Rădulescu guided Romania in the first meeting against France in June 1932, a home friendly which ended with a 6–3 victory. He won another Balkan Cup in 1933 and the 1931–1934 Central European Cup for Amateurs, also earning the qualification for the 1934 World Cup from a group with Yugoslavia and Switzerland. However, for the final tournament Josef Uridil was brought as head coach, and Rădulescu remained in the staff but with a minor role. He also took part as a technical director under coach Alexandru Săvulescu in the 1938 World Cup where they were eliminated in the first round by Cuba.

Death Rădulescu died on 14 June 1981 at age 84. Central European International Cup: 1931–34 Records Manager with the most Balkan Cup titles: 3 titles