Ted Dumitru facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dumitru Teodorescu | ||
| Date of birth | 2 September 1939 | ||
| Place of birth | Bucharest, Romania | ||
| Date of death | 26 May 2016 (aged 76) | ||
| Place of death | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 1966 | Universitatea Craiova | ||
| 1967–1968 | Romania U-23 | ||
| 1969–1970 | Altay Izmir | ||
| 1970–1971 | Beşiktaş | ||
| 1971 | Mersin İdmanyurdu | ||
| 1971–1973 | Texas Longhorns | ||
| 1974–1975 | Rochester Lancers | ||
| 1976–1980 | New York Apollo | ||
| 1980–1982 | Zambia | ||
| 1983–1985 | Swaziland | ||
| 1985–1988 | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| 1994–1995 | Tractor Sazi | ||
| 1997–1999 | Mamelodi Sundowns | ||
| 1999–2000 | Orlando Pirates | ||
| 2000 | Manning Rangers | ||
| 2000–2001 | Namibia | ||
| 2001–2002 | Mamelodi Sundowns | ||
| 2003–2005 | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| 2005–2006 | South Africa | ||
Ted Dumitru (born Dumitru Teodorescu) was a famous football manager from Romania. He was born on September 2, 1939, and passed away on May 26, 2016. He is best known for his amazing work in South Africa. Ted was one of the few coaches who led South Africa's three biggest football clubs: Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates.
Kaizer Motaung, the owner of Kaizer Chiefs, brought Ted Dumitru to South Africa in 1985. Ted became the most successful coach in South African professional football history. He won 18 trophies with Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. This included winning the league championship two times in a row with each team.
Contents
Ted Dumitru's Coaching Journey
Starting in Romania and Turkey
Ted Dumitru started playing football for a local team called Sportul Studenţesc in the late 1950s. However, a serious knee injury stopped him from playing. Because of this, he decided to study and become a coach instead.
After getting his coaching license, Ted became the youngest manager ever in Divizia A, Romania's top football league. He was only 25 years old when he joined Ştiinţa Craiova, now known as Universitatea Craiova. He also coached the Romania Under-23 Olympic team from 1967 to 1968.
In 1969, Ted moved to Turkey. There, he managed three different clubs: Altay Izmir, Beşiktaş, and Mersin. In his first year with Altay, he helped the club finish in the top three of the Turkish Süper League.
Coaching in the United States
In 1971, Ted moved to the United States. He became the head coach for the Texas Longhorns men's soccer team at the University of Texas. Later, in 1974, he joined the Rochester Lancers in the North American Soccer League. He coached them through the 1975 season. After that, he coached the New York Apollo in the old American Soccer League.
Moving to Africa
In 1980, Ted Dumitru moved to Africa and became the coach of the Zambia national team. He helped them qualify for the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations. However, he could not coach them during the tournament. This was because he had a US passport, and Americans were not allowed in Libya, where the tournament was held.
During his time in Zambia, the country's President, Kenneth Kaunda, said about him: "He is more than a coach; he is a son of Africa. He is a humanist who puts sports well-being ahead of his profession."
After leaving Zambia, Ted signed a contract with the African Football Confederation. They sent him to Eswatini (then called Swaziland) and Namibia. His job was to help football grow and develop in those countries.
Success in South Africa
In 1985, Ted Dumitru joined the South African team Kaizer Chiefs. He won eight trophies with them during his three years there. After leaving the club, he focused on helping young players and local coaches develop across the country.
In 1992, he started the Chibuku Youth Centre in Soweto. This was the first program in South Africa to develop young football talent. He also helped create the Esselen Park School of Excellence. This school has produced many famous players, like Steven Pienaar and Daine Klate.
In July 1997, Ted became the coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. He led them to win two league titles in a row in 1998 and 1999. They also won the Nedbank Cup and the Rothmans Cup. Ted also managed other big clubs like Orlando Pirates and Manning Rangers.
In November 2000, he was appointed manager of the Namibian national team. However, he resigned a few months later after a disagreement.
He rejoined Mamelodi Sundowns and helped them reach their first and only African Champions League Final in 2001. They lost that final to Al Ahly.
In June 2003, Ted returned to Kaizer Chiefs. He led them to win back-to-back league titles in 2004 and 2005. After these wins, he retired from coaching club teams. In South Africa, people called him "Master Ted," "Mr Magic," or "The Professor." This was because he studied the game very carefully.
In November 2005, he was hired to manage the South Africa national team for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations. However, his team did not perform well and failed to score any goals. He left the team soon after the tournament.
In 2009, Ted Dumitru became involved with the Mamelodi Sundowns Youth Academy. This project, called "The Puk Tawana Project," helped 26 young players become professional footballers. These players went through a special 18-month program. Among them were Keagan Dolly, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Samuel Julies, and Jabulani Shongwe.
After leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in 2011, he briefly joined the North West University Sports Institute from 2012 to 2013. In 2013, he played a very important part in bringing back the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA). He helped set up the organization and led workshops across the country. He continued this work until he passed away on May 26, 2016.
Under his guidance, over 150 players were developed at the Sport School of Excellence. Also, more than 180 local coaches were trained through his programs at the SA Soccer Academy.
Ted Dumitru's Passing
Ted Dumitru passed away on May 26, 2016. He was 76 years old. He suffered a heart attack in a shopping mall in Johannesburg. A special memorial service was held for him on June 2 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg.
Ted Dumitru's Achievements
As a Manager
Club Trophies
- Kaizer Chiefs
- PSL Champion (2): 2003–04, 2004–05
- Vodacom Challenge (1): 2003
- BP Top Eight Cup (2): 1985, 1987
- Coca-Cola Cup (4): 1986, 1988, 2003, 2004
- Mainstay Cup (1): 1987
- Charity Spectacular Cup (4): 1986, 1987, 1988, 2003
- NSL Runner-up: 1987
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- PSL Champion (2): 1997–98, 1998–99
- Nedbank Cup (1): 1998
- Rothmans Cup (1): 1999
- CAF Champions League Runner-up: 2001
- Orlando Pirates
- African Cup Winners' Cup Semi-final: 1999
