Introduction
Dan Alexa (born 28 October 1979 in Timişoara) is a Romanian retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He is currently the manager of Concordia Chiajna.
After he ended his playing career, Alexa became a manager. His first job was at Poli Timișoara, in March 2014.
Club career
Early career
Although born in Banat, Alexa was considered disposable while at UM Timișoara in 1998, and he moved to Rocar Bucureşti where he helped his side reach the 2000–01 Romanian Cup final.
Dinamo București
After several years there and short spells at FC Timişoara and Universitatea Craiova, Alexa got his big chance as Dinamo Bucharest decided to transfer him. His performances were of a high calibre throughout the two seasons he spent there, but he also got a reputation for being an extremely aggressive player. In two years he scored 1 goal in 47 appearances.
Beijing Hyundai
His consequent move to Beijing Hyundai saw him leave Romania for two years. In a friendly match against Real Madrid he was selected man of the match.
Dinamo București
He returned to Dinamo in 2006 just for a few months playing 13 matches, scoring a goal.
Politehnica Timișoara
In the summer of the same year, Politehnica boss Marian Iancu decided to bring Alexa - by then, a real "persona non grata" in Timișoara, due to his pledge of loyalty to Dinamo - back to the city where he started his career, together with team-mate Ştefan Grigorie. The fans protested at Alexa's arrival in Timișoara through several banners and chants, but the club's management remained unimpressed. Alexa himself stated that he had made those statements out of necessity and that he will do all he can to prove to the fans that he is a real professional.A few months after his arrival, Alexa became the captain of Poli. He is nicknamed "the surgeon" because he inflicted many injuries requiring surgery to opposing players. On 19 April 2010, he scored the equaliser goal in the 98th minute against CFR Cluj and mentain Poli in battle for the title, however Poli finished 5th, losing the last 3 matches.
Rapid București
On 4 June 2011, the former captain of Politehnica Timişoara signed a two-year contract with Rapid Bucureşti following the relegation of Poli.
Anorthosis Famagusta
On 24 June 2012, Dan Alexa signed with the Cyprus First Division football club, Anorthosis Famagusta, on a free transfer. He signed a reported €250,000/yr contract with the club.
International career
Alexa was first called up by the national team in 2004. Later in 2010, he was called up for a friendly match against Italy after a six-year absence. Alexa scored his first goals for Romania in a 2–2 draw against Ukraine at Cyprus International Cup 2011. However, Romania were eliminated from the tournament, after losing on penalty kicks 4–2.
International stats
| Romania national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 6 | 2 |
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 February 2011 | Paralimni Stadium, Paralimni, Cyprus |  Ukraine | 1–2 | 2-2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 8 February 2011 | Paralimni Stadium, Paralimni, Cyprus | Ukraine | 2–2 | 2-2 | Friendly |
Honours
Player
- UM Timişoara
- Romanian Third League: 1998–99
- Dinamo Bucureşti
- Romanian League Championship: 2003–04
- Romanian Cup: 2002–03, 2003–04
Coach
- Poli Timișoara
- Romanian Second League: 2014–15
- Rapid Bucureşti
- Romanian Second League: 2015–16