Mutu offered coaching role

Disgraced Adrian Mutu has been offered a job as Romania’s assistant coach.

Romanian striker Mutu was banned for seven months by the Football Association this week after being sacked by Chelsea for gross misconduct after failing a drugs test.

He apologised to Chelsea supporters yesterday and vowed to return and become a better player. Now, he has been offered the chance to spend his suspension coaching Romania’s national side.

Romania boss Anghel Iordanescu told the News of the World: “I have invited him to join the national team during his break to become my assistant coach.

“I am sure Adrian will come back from this and we want to help him. He has the ability because he is a strong individual and has the support of everybody in Romania.

“Any fans who don’t agree with me should not forget that Adrian won two games for us almost single-handedly. Adrian made a big mistake but he is still ours. I have heard many people executing him with their comments, saying that they are ashamed to be the same nationality as Mutu. They are stupid people. The boy must be helped.”

Mutu told Chelsea fans: “I am very sorry for what I have done. Football is my life. It gave me a lot. I want to come back and play at the same level – a higher level – and be stronger than before.”