Former Romania U21 coach Daniel Pancu delivered a candid post-mortem on the team’s disappointing performance at the 2025 European Championship in Slovakia, where the squad finished without earning any points. Pancu pinpointed **lack of discipline, insufficient mental maturity, and subpar professionalism off the pitch** as key factors behind the poor results, emphasizing that tactical preparation alone cannot compensate for these shortcomings[3].
He revealed internal conflicts, including attempts to enforce strict curfews and recovery protocols, which some players repeatedly ignored, leading Pancu to consider sending four players home during the tournament for indiscipline—a move he believed was justified but would have caused a stir[1]. Pancu also commented on players’ resistance to prescribed medication and recovery methods, highlighting a cultural gap compared to their Western European counterparts who display greater professionalism and physical endurance[3].
Despite praising some individuals like defender Umit Akdag for their exemplary commitment, Pancu was firm that the **mental aspect—“the difference is made in the mind”**—is where Romanian youth players lag behind peers from Spain, Germany, or England, who possess more mature game intelligence and professionalism from a younger age[3].
This frank assessment signals a pressing need for Romanian football to overhaul its youth development approach, focusing not only on physical and tactical training but also on instilling strict discipline and mental resilience to compete effectively on the continental stage. Pancu’s insights underscore that without addressing these foundational issues, Romania’s youth teams risk continued underperformance internationally[3][1].