Cornel Țălnar

Cornel Țălnar (born 9 June 1957) is a Romanian former football player and manager.

Club career Țălnar, nicknamed "Țânțarul" (The Mosquito), was born on 9 June 1957 in Bărăbanț, Alba County, Romania and began playing junior-level football in 1973 at Unirea Alba Iulia. He played his first Divizia A match on 21 August 1977, representing Dinamo București, as coach Ion Nunweiller sent him to replace Ionel Augustin in the 60th minute of a 0–0 draw against SC Bacău. Țălnar spent a total of eight seasons playing for Dinamo, winning three consecutive Divizia A titles from 1982 to 1984. At the first he contributed under coach Valentin Stănescu with two goals scored in 30 matches. He made some notable performances with Dinamo in European competitions, such as helping the club eliminate Inter Milan in the 1981–82 UEFA Cup. After his spell with Dinamo ended, Țălnar went to play for Brașov, Victoria București and Petrolul Ploiești. His following three games were friendlies. In the 1998–99 Divizia B season he led Brașov to earn promotion in the first league, but was replaced shortly afterwards with Ioan Andone. He managed several clubs in Romania, being coach at Dinamo București on five occasions. In 2013, he had his only coaching experience outside of Romania, in Oman's second league at Oman Club. Țălnar has a total of 160 games managed in the Romanian first league, consisting of 62 victories, 40 draws and 58 losses.

Personal life His nephew, Gheorghe Grozav, is also a footballer.

Sports commentator Ilie Dobre wrote a book about him titled Cornel Țălnar - leul neîmblânzit al gazonului (Cornel Țălnar - the untamed lion of the field), which was released in 2000.

Honours Player Dinamo București Divizia A: 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 Cupa României: 1981–82, 1983–84 Manager FC Brașov Divizia B: 1998–99