following a short-lived career as a player agent – he had established a company called "sport & business world" in 1998 –, dumitrescu took on his first position as a manager in 2000 signing with oţelul galaţi from romania's divizia a. from galaţi he moved to fc braşov and then cypriot side alki larnaca in 2001–02. here he won promotion to the cypriot first division and his team started the season very well, beating some of the best sides in cyprus. however at the end of the season his team finished 11th. he then took the head coach role of the romanian under 21 side. but dumitrescu lasted only 6 weeks in the role.