2014–15 FC Petrolul Ploiești season
The 2014–15 season is Petrolul Ploiești's 85th season in the Romanian football league system, and their fourth consecutive season in the Liga I. Petrolul came third in the 2013–14 Liga I, earning a place in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round. Month by month review. June. Petrolul signed a one-year kit deal with American sportswear company Nike, after the association with Puma came to an end. Also, Acıbadem Healthcare Group became the team's medical sponsor until the end of the season, with an extension option being available. Gevaro Nepomuceno, Patrick N'Koyi , George Mareș, Jean-Alain Fanchone, Alberto Cobrea, Mirel Bolboașă, Andrei Peteleu and Mourad Satli were transferred to Petrolul. Roberto Alecsandru and Alexandru Radu were also promoted from the academy. July. On 7 July, Petrolul announced that they had signed winger Victoraș Astafei on a free transfer. On 20 July, using many players that would normally be substitutes and having a player sent off in the second half, Petrolul was beaten by Universitatea Cluj in the Cupa Ligii () round of 16, a competition which was reenacted after fourteen years of pause. In Europa League, "The Yellow Wolves" eliminated Flamurtari Vlorë 5–1  on aggregate. On 27 July, Petrolul confirmed on its official website that Opel will continue being the shirt sponsor until the end of the season. August. Petrolul had bad luck at the Europa League third qualifying round draw, confronting Czech side Viktoria Plzeň, a club which in the previous season took part in the Champions League group stage. After a draw at Ploiești (1–1), "The Yellow Wolves" impressively beat Viktoria scoring four goals and conceding only one. The Romanian side's captain, 35-year-old Adrian Mutu, played a big role in his team's qualification, scoring both home and  away. However, losing both of the play-off legs against Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, Petrolul yet again missed the chance of advancing to the group stage. September. On 3 September, Uruguayan footballers Rodrigo Pastorini and Sebastián Gallegos joined Petrolul's squad. One week later, Ovidiu Hoban was transferred to Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He was Petrolul's only Romanian player called by the national team for a match against Greece, which was played on 7 September. Ioan Filip signed with Petrolul to replace Hoban. On 16 September, Răzvan Lucescu was sacked. Gheorghe Mulțescu, who coached Petrolul twice in the  past, took his place one day later. On the same day, "The Yellow Wolves" transferred Kristijan Ipša, a Croatian central defender. Mulțescu made his début against rivals Steaua București, on the 21st. Israeli international striker Toto Tamuz scored a double, but unfortunately, Petrolul lost the match 2–3. After many rumours, Adrian Mutu eventually broke his contract with "The Oilmen", on the 26th. He was the best paid footballer, and was often criticised for playing bad. Cosmin Contra, Petrolul's coach from October 2012 to March 2014, said that the signings of Adrian Mutu and Ianis Zicu (both joined in January  2014) were a "failure". October. On 16 October, Shai Haddad signed a one-year contract with Petrolul, on Toto Tamuz's recommendation. November. On 25 November, president Daniel Capră, general director Marius Bucuroiu and five other persons faced preventive detention for 24 hours, being suspected of tax evasion and money laundering. The loss would amount to 15.4 million euros. The press suggested that these criminal matters could cause serious financial problems for Petrolul and important players might want to leave the club. December. Petrolul had the chance to finish the year on the second place of Liga I, but drawn  at home against Concordia Chiajna, subsequently keeping the third place. January. On 10 January 2015, ex-Standard Liège coach Mircea Rednic replaced Gheorghe Mulțescu on the bench. During the winter transfer window, five footballers left Petrolul, including important ones like Juan Albín and Soni Mustivar. February. At the beginning of February, due to president Capră still being under detention, the club faced financial problems and entered insolvency, meaning that the participation in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League is denied. However, among others, Mircea Rednic convinced 31-year-old striker Mohamed Tchité, who spent most of his professional career  in Belgium, with Standard Liége, Anderlecht and Club Brugge, and in Spain with Racing de Santander, to be part of the team until the end of the season at the least. March. Mohamed Tchité made his début on 5 March in the first leg of the Romanian Cup semi-final against rivals Steaua București, scoring his team's only goal in a 1–1 draw. April. On 3 April, Petrolul missed the qualification to the Cupa României final for the second year in a row, losing the semi-final second leg against Steaua at Arena Națională. However, only a week later , "The Yellow Wolves" defeated them in the championship, after more than 15 years. Curaçaoan winger Gevaro Nepomuceno netted the only goal of the match. May. On 5 May, it was announced that manager Mircea Rednic left "The Yellow-Blues". Assistant coach Valentin Sinescu continued as the caretaker of the team. Eventually, Petrolul finished the season on a disappointing place six. Squad statistics. Goals. "Updated as of 27 May 2015."