Edward "Edi" Marius IordÃÂnescu (; born 16 June 1978), sometimes known as IordÃÂnescu Jr., is a Romanian professional football manager and former player, most recently in charge of Ekstraklasa club Legia Warsaw.
A midfielder, IordÃÂnescu represented nine teams during a rather uneventful playing career, including stints abroad with Panionios and Alki Larnaca. He started both his playing and coaching career at Steaua BucureÃÂti, emulating his father Anghel.
Following his retirement as a player, IordÃÂnescu emerged as a notable figure in the Romanian managerial sphere, earning praise for his meticulous approach to match preparation. He guided CFR Cluj to three domestic trophies during his two stints, and in 2022 was appointed at the helm of the Romania national team, subsequently leading them to qualification for the UEFA Euro 2024. In 2025, IordÃÂnescu joined Polish club Legia Warsaw.
IordÃÂnescu's link with Steaua BucureÃÂti began in early 1984, aged six, when his father Anghel, who was an assistant coach at the time, would take him along to attend games at the Ghencea Stadium. He frequently sat alongside Alin Stoica, also the son of a club legend, and began playing together during warm-ups and halftime breaks. After progressing through Steaua's youth ranks, IordÃÂnescu made his debut for the first team in 1996, alongside Stoica.
In 1997, after failing to impose himself at the RoÃÂ-albaÃÂtrii, IordÃÂnescu left for Sportul StudenÃÂesc. Throughout his career, he played for various clubs in RomaniaâÂÂUnirea FocÃÂani, Rapid BucureÃÂti, Rocar BucureÃÂti, Petrolul PloieÃÂti, and Vaslui. He also had spells abroad in Greece and Cyprus with Panionios and Alki Larnaca, respectively.
IordÃÂnescu ended his playing career in 2004 to pursue managerial studies, undertaking courses in Italy, Spain, and England. In 2010, following Ilie Dumitrescu's resignation as manager of Steaua BucureÃÂti, he assumed the role of interim coach. IordÃÂnescu served in minor assistant or caretaker roles at Steaua and Vaslui, before securing his first contract as a head coach at Fortuna Brazi in 2013.
On 20 June 2013, IordÃÂnescu signed a contract with second division team ASA Târgu MureÃÂ, with the explicit objective of promoting to the Liga I; he resigned from the position in October 2013. In December 2014, he was named the head coach of top flight club Pandurii Târgu Jiu. Under his guidance, the team reached the final of the 2014âÂÂ15 Cupa Ligii.
On 24 August 2016, IordÃÂnescu was announced as the new head coach of Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, after also attracting the interest of Lech Poznaà Â. On 27 November 2016, after a 1âÂÂ1 home draw against Vereya, he resigned from his position.
On 8 June 2017, IordÃÂnescu signed a deal with Liga I club Astra Giurgiu. On 2 April 2018, his contract with the club was terminated through a mutual agreement. On 13 June 2018, IordÃÂnescu signed a three-year contract with CFR Cluj, taking over from Dan Petrescu, who left for Guizhou Hengfeng. He won his first managerial trophy on July 15 that year, as his new side defeated Universitatea Craiova 1âÂÂ0 in the 2018 Supercupa României. He departed CFR Cluj in less than two months, following disagreements with owner Ioan Varga, who attempted to interfere in managerial decisions during matches.
Between January 2019 and June 2020, IordÃÂnescu had a stint at Gaz Metan MediaÃÂ, before making a return to CFR Cluj in December 2020. He guided the latter to another Supercupa României and the 2020âÂÂ21 Liga I title, but refused to stay beyond the expiration of his contract at the end of the campaign.
In August 2021, he made a comeback to Steaua BucureÃÂtiâÂÂnow known as FCSBâÂÂbut this time as a head coach for the first time. On 12 September, his team thrashed Dinamo BucureÃÂti 6âÂÂ0 in the league, representing the largest goal difference in the eternal derby. IordÃÂnescu departed in November 2021 after falling out with owner Gigi Becali.
On 25 January 2022, IordÃÂnescu was appointed as the manager of the Romania national team, which his father Anghel had also coached during three stints. On 18 November 2023, after a 2âÂÂ1 win against Israel, his country secured qualification for the UEFA Euro 2024. For this achievement, the Gazeta Sporturilor sports website named him the 2023 Romania Coach of the Year.
On 12 June 2025, IordÃÂnescu took over the Polish Ekstraklasa club Legia Warsaw.
During the subsequent summer window the club added several first-team players: Danish centre-forward Mileta Rajoviàsigned from Watford, Poland international left-back Arkadiusz Reca arrived on a free transfer after leaving Spezia, and Slovenia right-back Petar Stojanoviàfollowing the expiry of his Empoli contract. IordÃÂnescu recorded his first trophy with the side on 13 July 2025, when Legia defeated reigning champions Lech Poznaà  2âÂÂ1 in Poznaà  to secure the Polish Super Cup.
Under IordÃÂnescu, Legia began their 2025âÂÂ26 European campaign in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, defeating FC Aktobe 2âÂÂ0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round. However, they were eliminated in the third round by AEK Larnaca after a 1âÂÂ4 defeat away and a 2âÂÂ1 home win, losing 3âÂÂ5 on aggregate. The result dropped the club into the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs, where Legia narrowly advanced past Hibernian F.C. 5âÂÂ4 on aggregate following a 3âÂÂ3 draw after extra time in Warsaw. The team went on to start the group stage with one win and one defeat before IordÃÂnescu's departure.
However, the domestic campaign under Edward IordÃÂnescu offered little improvement. In the league the team under-performed, reaching 10th place in the Ekstraklasa. His average points per match during his tenure amounted to 1.63. Critics pointed to inconsistent team selection, frequent tactical changes, and visible strain within the dressing-room. Observers also highlighted declines in key performance metrics such as running distances and physical intensity during matches. The combination of weak league results, tactical ambiguity and internal instability led media commentators to describe the project as failing âÂÂon almost every front â results, style, tactics, dressing-room managementâÂÂ.
IordÃÂnescu parted company with Legia Warsaw on 31 October 2025 after a meeting between the club's leadership and the coach during the night of 30âÂÂ31 October. The immediate trigger for his exit was the 2âÂÂ1 defeat in the Polish Cup to Pogoà  Szczecin.
IordÃÂnescu dated Romanian singer-songwriter Delia Matache from 2005 to 2006. He is now married to a woman with whom he has three children.
His father, Anghel, also managed the Romania national team over three spells.
Steaua BucureÃÂti
Petrolul PloieÃÂti
Pandurii Târgu Jiu
CFR Cluj
Legia Warsaw
Individual