The end of the season coincides with the end of our head coach’s tenure: Róbert Ilyés and the management of FK Csíkszereda jointly agreed not to extend the contract that expires in the summer. At the end of the season-closing match, the club, the team, the players, the supporters and the staff expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the coach from Miercurea Ciuc, under whose guidance the side achieved not only the historic success of promotion to the top flight, but also that of staying up – and in no ordinary fashion.

A successful season deserved a fitting gala match at the end, and that was fully delivered. FK Csíkszereda managed to claim a two-goal victory over a Botoșani side preparing for the semi-final of the Conference League play-off, while also playing attractive football, at times with beautiful flashes of quality. For the players, too, this was a farewell match in this lineup, and they gave one another the gift of this heart-warming performance. It also says a great deal that the representatives of the rights holders chose our young academy player, Bota Darius, as the player of the match, while another of our young talents, Nyitra Szabolcs, also made his top-flight debut.

Several chances came at both ends in the first half of the match: Pap produced a fine save to deny Mitrov in a clear-cut opportunity, Anderson then hit the post, while Bota’s long-range attempt went wide. The crowd could see many fine moves in open play, although mistakes often crept into the finishing.

After the break, however, the goals arrived as well. In the 48th minute, following Trif’s cross, Eppel Márton headed home from close range, scoring his 12th goal of the season. Shortly afterwards, at the end of a spectacular attack, Anderson turned Bota Darius’ pass into a goal, setting the final score at 2–0. There were chances later on as well – Mailat hit the crossbar for the visitors, while Dumiter tested Pap several times – but the score did not change.

After the final whistle, the match also became a farewell interview for Róbert Ilyés:

– Congratulations, Robi, to you and to the team! We closed the season, Csík’s first SuperLiga season, with a fantastic victory. How did you see the match, how do you assess it?

– Thank you very much. Right now, at the end of the match, I am still trying to process the whole game. I think that because there was not much at stake, both teams played freely and openly. There were lots of transitions during the match, many great saves from the goalkeepers, so I think the crowd could enjoy it. I am glad that we came out of it successfully and that we were able to say goodbye to our supporters by taking three points. If the other results also help us, we may be able to finish in tenth place. Well, everyone likes to dream, but unfortunately, at this level, it is difficult to dream something and then see it become reality. There are many factors here that determine a team’s performance and the team’s play. I think that, overall, the team’s performance in the final months was outstanding. Of course, the new players we signed in January were also needed for that. Looking back now, I am proud of what I leave behind, and I can only congratulate the team.

– And you have already said my next question: this was your last match on the FK Csíkszereda bench. What are your feelings now?

– Yes, I am sorry that we made such a decision together, because we made it together with the club. A three-year cycle has come to an end for me, and I think I would not have had the energy, nor perhaps the physical and emotional presence, to start this year all over again. It was a very, very difficult year for me, especially these last two years: promotion and keeping the team up. There is an enormous amount of work behind it. I feel that I did what was expected of me, or at least I hope they are satisfied with my work. I think I am saying goodbye tonight to the club, the players and the supporters with my head held high. At the same time, I would like to thank the club, the city and those who stood by us for entrusting me with this three-year plan, this cycle – I do not even know exactly how to put it. In my heart, I believe I did everything I could, together with my staff, who helped in the background. I feel that we are leaving the team at the club at a high level. From here, it may be more difficult, because we have raised the bar a little, both in the table and with the final matches. It may be much more difficult in the future, but I am sure that whoever comes after me will be able to motivate the team. He will come with a new staff, new ambition and new determination, and I am sure they will also be able to successfully continue the work we are handing over here now.

– You achieved something magical in 2026: we did not lose a single home match, and we can now say that we really managed to bring the supporters close to the team. The atmosphere was very good today as well.

– That is right. We are also happy that we were able to repay this with a victory. These few Székely supporters really deserve us to give them this kind of joy. For a city of this size, it is a source of pride to have a first-division team at such a high level, to perform well, to beat the champions of Romania and to achieve good results. This will remain part of the club’s history. As I said, from here the only way is up. I hope they will carry it forward, and one can keep dreaming, I do not know, about the Conference League or winning the Cup. From this point on, I would simply like to wish the club, the management and the supporters every success. Personally, too, I would like to thank them for everything they gave us and for the way they encouraged us. I thank them as well, and I wish everyone all the best.

SuperLiga, play-out, Round 9
FK Csíkszereda – FC Botoșani 2–0 (0–0)
Municipal Stadium, Miercurea Ciuc, approximately 2,000 spectators
Referees: Ene Mihai Laurențiu, Constantinescu Andrei Gabriel, Birdes Romica
VAR: Costreie Sorin, AVAR: Slabu Stelian
Fourth official: Baban Vlad
Goalscorers: Eppel (48’), Anderson (61’)
Yellow cards: Anderson (62’), Pap (76’), respectively Țigănașu (5’), Ferreira (9’)

FK Csíkszereda:
Pap Eduard Adrian – Palmeș Raul Ioan, Hegedüs János Krisztián, Kabashi Arian (Dusinszki Szabolcs 62’) – Trif Răzvan Alin, Veres Szilárd, Csürös Attila (capt.), Anderson Ceará (Szalay Szabolcs 79’) – Kleinheisler László (Tajti Mátyás 72’), Bota Darius Cristian (Nyitra Szabolcs 79’) – Eppel Márton (Dolny Jozef 72’)
Head coach: Róbert Ilyés

FC Botoșani:
Anestis Ioannis – Adams Friday, Șută Riad, Miron Andrei George (capt.), Țigănașu Alexandru (Ongenda Hervin 54’) – Petro Charles (Kovtaliuk Mykola 65’), Ferreira Aldair, Mailat Arpad Sebastian (Lopez Enzo Adrian 79’), Mitrov Zoran (Dumiter Andrei 54’), Bota Alexandru Cristian (Creț Răzvan Bogdan 54’) – Bodișteanu Ștefan
Head coach: Marius Croitoru

Rédai Attila
Photo: Pál Zoltán