Who is the former Romanian international linked with Sheffield Wednesday? – A closer look at Cosmin Contra

It’s now been more than a month since Sheffield Wednesday parted ways with Tony Pulis, and the wait for an appointment has led to another new name being thrown into the mix.
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According to SkyBet, ‘caretaker and interim managers completing at least 10 competitive games will be deemed the permanent manager’… That’s just two games away for Neil Thompson, who took charge of his eighth game in the 4-1 defeat to Millwall.

Now, with the Owls seeking a return to winning ways against Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow night, a new name has landed in the mix – former Romanian international, Cosmin Contra.

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Contra recently left Dinamo București after a short stint back at a club where he’s been before, both as a player and manager, and is said to be on the hunt for his next challenge in football.

According to Sky Sports, the 45-year-old has been ‘sounded out’ by the Owls as a potential option going forward, however the same has been said for so many different managers over the past month or so.

The Romanian would potentially land a work permit for England given his time in the Romanian top-flight, Spanish second tier and as head coach of Romania’s national team, although it remains to be seen at this stage how serious any interest is.

As a player, Contra spent time with the likes of AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, West Bromwich Albion and Getafe amongst others, and won the Cupa României and Cupa Ligii as manager of Petrolul Ploiești and Dinamo respectively.

Cosmin Contra almost won the UEFA Cup with Alaves - he's been linked with the Sheffield Wednesday job. (Photo by PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP via Getty Images)Cosmin Contra almost won the UEFA Cup with Alaves - he's been linked with the Sheffield Wednesday job. (Photo by PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP via Getty Images)
Cosmin Contra almost won the UEFA Cup with Alaves - he's been linked with the Sheffield Wednesday job. (Photo by PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP via Getty Images)
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According to the stats on transfermarkt.com, Contra has averaged almost 1.7 points per game over 216 matches as a manager, winning 100, drawing 59 and losing 57 - working in Romania, Spain and China over the last decade or so.

Dejphon Chansiri said when Pulis was fired that he would be taking his time to select a new manager to replace him, insisting that he couldn’t afford to make a mistake, but fans have called for clarity on the matter as ‘Thommo’ continues to take the team forward but still in only an interim capacity.

Is Contra a possibility? Only time will tell.

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