Soccer: Hagi quits as Romanian boss

Gheorghe Hagi today resigned as coach of Romania.

The country’s most famous footballer received heavy criticism when Romania failed to qualify for the World Cup by slumping to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Slovenia in this month’s play-off tie.

The 36-year-old one-time superstar of European club football, who replaced Laszlo Boloni on June 15 this year, held on to his job but was told by Romanian Football Federation president Mircea Sandu that he had a lot to improve on as a coach.

‘‘I thought twice about it and decided that it is better to give up,’’ Hagi said today.

‘‘I don’t have any regrets apart from failing to qualify for the World Cup.

‘‘It’s better to take this decision right now to give the Federation time to find a replacement for me.’’