CSM Râmnicu Sărat, a Liga 3 Romanian football club, is confronting persistent financial difficulties first identified during the winter period, which now threaten its participation in the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The club, managed by coach Marius Tîrîlă, may announce its withdrawal from the competition if adequate funding is not secured.
In an effort to sustain the team, the club is actively seeking sponsors and private investors to complement the municipal support that has become insufficient in these challenging times. Coach Tîrîlă highlighted the broader economic challenges impacting football nationwide and emphasized that despite reduced wage costs—cut by over 60%—and a youthful squad composed mainly of local players averaging just 18 and a half years old, financial backing remains critical to maintain competitive standards.
This approach of fielding a very young squad was implemented mid-season last winter, following a strategic decision to overhaul the team by promoting players from the club’s youth academy and local high school, Liceul Teoretic Ștefan cel Mare. At that time, CSM Râmnicu Sărat was sixth in their Liga 3 series and aimed to rebuild for the future by focusing on homegrown talent.
In the previous campaign, the club finished sixth in Series 2 of Liga 3 with 24 points from 18 games, recording seven wins, three draws, and eight losses. During the play-out phase, they secured two wins and six losses, ending second in their group with 30 points, notably finishing ahead of some rivals but well behind the leader Sepsi OSK 2.
Coach Tîrîlă remains cautiously optimistic, stating that the club is making every effort administratively, sportingly, and financially to continue. However, he acknowledged that sustaining the club at even a minimal level requires private sector involvement alongside municipal support. The club’s strength lies in its young, talented local roster and its footballing tradition, but the coming days will reveal whether these assets are enough to secure their place in Liga 3 next season.
The potential withdrawal of CSM Râmnicu Sărat underscores the financial fragility faced by smaller Romanian clubs and highlights the urgent need for sustainable funding models to preserve grassroots football development.
*Insight:* Should CSM Râmnicu Sărat withdraw, it would be a significant setback for youth development in Liga 3 and reflect wider financial challenges in Romanian lower-league football.