Mihai Țârlea (19 April 1938 – 28 February 1984) was a Romanian football forward and manager.
Club career Țârlea was born on 19 April 1938 in Livada de Bihor, Romania. He began playing football at Indagrara Arad. Subsequently, he joined UTA Arad, making his Divizia A debut on 18 August 1957 under coach Eugen Mladin in a 1–0 away victory against Dinamo București.
Țârlea remained at UTA for the rest of his career, consisting of 11 seasons, a personal highlight being a third place as the top-scorer of the 1963–64 season with 16 goals alongside Steaua București's Florea Voinea. They also reached the 1966 Cupa României final, where coach Nicolae Dumitrescu used him the entire match in the 4–0 loss to Steaua. Subsequently, the team earned a fourth place in the 1967–68 season. Țârlea's last Divizia A appearance occurred on 26 May 1968 in a 2–0 away loss to Universitatea Craiova, totaling 206 games with 80 goals in the competition. Among these goals, six were scored in the West derby against Politehnica Timișoara, contributing to two victories, two draws, and one loss for his side.
International career Țârlea played one game and scored two goals for Romania's Olympic team in a 4–1 friendly victory against Czechoslovakia.
Managerial career Țârlea worked as a coach, leading alongside his assistant, Christos Metskas, Vulturii Textila Lugoj from 1969 to 1972, helping it earn promotion from Divizia C to Divizia B in the 1970–71 season.
Personal life His son, who is also named Mihai Țârlea, was also a footballer who played for UTA.
Death Țârlea died on 28 February 1984 at the age of 45.
Honours Player UTA Arad Cupa României runner-up: 1965–66
Manager Vulturii Textila Lugoj Divizia C: 1970–71
See also List of one-club men in association football
Notes
References
External links
Mihai Țârlea at Labtof.ro