Hagi is new Romania coach

Romania have confirmed that their legendary player Gheorghe Hagi is their new national team coach.

Gheorghe Hagi accepted the job of continuing Romania's international success last week.

The player's agent said Hagi will agree a contract to coach the team and replaces Ladislau Boloni by Wednesday and the formal announcement came from Bucharest today.

"The FRF's board unanimously appointed Hagi as the new coach of Romania's national team," Romanian federation president Mircea Sandu said.

"His contract has immediate effect and is valid for the next three years."

Hagi retired as a player last month at age 36 and was regarded as the most talented layer of his generation in Europe. He played 125 times for Romania including 86 as captain and they need to clinch a play-off place behind Italy to stand a chance of reaching the 2002 World Cup finals.

Hagi has coaching experience from his last two years at Istanbul club Galatasary and wanted to develop his career in that direction.