(Reuters) - The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) said Mirel Radoi has been named as coach to replace Cosmin Contra, who stepped down after the team failed to qualify for Euro 2020 via the group stage.
The 38-year-old former centre back, who served as the U-21's coach, will still have the chance to take the side to the finals of the June 12 to July 12 tournament through the playoffs.
Romania, who finished fourth in Group F, will visit Iceland in the playoff semi-finals in March, with the winner then taking on Bulgaria or Hungary to secure progress to the main Euro 2020 draw.
Radoi, capped 67 times, won three Romanian league titles with Steaua Bucharest, two Saudi Arabia titles with Al-Hilal as well as two United Arab Emirates titles with Al-Ahli.
In June, he led Romania U-21's team to the European Championship's semi-finals and secured their place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Peter Rutherford)