Nicolae Tilihoi

Nicolae Tilihoi (9 December 1956^[1] – 25 March 2018) was a Romanian professional footballer who played as a defender.

Nicolae Tilihoi

Tilihoi with Universitatea Craiova in the 1980s
Personal information
Date of birth	(1956-12-09)9 December 1956[1]
Place of birth	Brăila, Romania
Date of death	25 March 2018(2018-03-25) (aged 61)
Place of death	Craiova, Romania
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Comerțul Brăila
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1974–1976	FC Brăila
1976	Metalul Bocșa
1976–1987	Universitatea Craiova	290	(6)
Total		290	(6)
International career‡
1979–1981	Romania[a]	10	(0)
Managerial career
	Metalul Bocșa
	Jiul Craiova
	Electroputere Craiova
	Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea
	Callatis Mangalia
	Drobeta-Turnu Severin
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 10 March 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 March 2018

He spent most of his career with Universitatea Craiova, where he was an indispensable member of the golden generation known as Craiova Maxima. Tilihoi was often nicknamed "the Iron Defender of Craiova".^[4]

After retirement, Tilihoi coached several club teams, such as Metalul Bocșa, Jiul Craiova, Electroputere Craiova, Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea, Callatis Mangalia and Drobeta-Turnu Severin.^[4][5]

International career

Tilihoi made nine appearances for the Romania senior team between 1979 and 1981.^[2]

Death

Tilihoi died early in the morning of 25 March 2018, at the age of 61, after struggling for several years with an incurable disease. He was buried two days later in Craiova.^[6]

Honours

Player

Universitatea Craiova^[7]

• Diviza A: 1979–80, 1980–81
• Cupa României: 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1982–83

Notes

1. Including one appearance for Romania's Olympic team.^[2][3]