Laurențiu Reghecampf has confirmed that he is in talks with Espérance over his future, while revealing that he is due to meet the Tunisian club before potentially travelling to Romania to take charge of Steaua Bucharest.
The Romanian coach’s comments come amid reports that he has reached an agreement with Steaua Bucharest to return as head coach after receiving an approach from businessman Gigi Becali.
Romanian newspaper La Gazeta quoted Reghecampf as confirming Becali’s previous statements about their contact and his interest in returning to the Romanian club.
Reghecampf said: “What Becali said is true. I have a meeting today with Esperance to finalize everything, then I will travel to Romania.”
The statement places Reghecampf’s future at Espérance in the hands of the upcoming meeting with the club’s management, with reports suggesting that the two sides are moving towards ending their contractual relationship.
Becali had previously identified Reghecampf as his preferred choice to coach Steaua Bucharest. He said he had contacted the Romanian manager and reached an agreement with him following the team’s heavy 5-0 defeat against Craiova.
The latest comments from Reghecampf have added another development to a situation that had already attracted considerable attention in Romania and Tunisia.
Espérance had earlier confirmed that it would hold talks with the coach after reports emerged in the Romanian media about his possible departure. The club wanted clarification from Reghecampf regarding the claims surrounding his future.
Espérance vice-president Chokri El Ouaer said the club’s management would meet the coach in the evening, with president Hamdi Meddeb also expected to attend the meeting.
The discussions are now expected to determine whether Reghecampf’s spell in Tunisia will come to an early end.
Romanian reports have indicated that the coach is preparing to leave Espérance shortly after returning to the club. He took charge in July before receiving the approach from Steaua Bucharest.
Reghecampf’s own comments have given greater weight to reports of a possible departure, with his confirmation of the meeting suggesting that a decision on his future is close.
However, the separation has not yet been officially completed, and the final details still need to be settled between Reghecampf and Espérance.
The coming hours are therefore expected to determine whether the Romanian coach will formally end his latest spell with the Tunisian club and return to Romania for another coaching role at Steaua Bucharest.
