Northern Ireland's next opponents Romania have lost their manager less than a month away from taking on Michael O'Neill's team in Bucharest.

Just three games into the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, coach Victor Piturca has left the Romanian job to take over at Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad.

He is the SECOND boss in Northern Ireland's group to leave his post after Hungary's Attila Pinter, who was sacked after O'Neill's side won 2-1 in Budapest in September.

There could be more to come because Greece boss Claudio Ranieri is under pressure having lost 2-0 to Northern Ireland in Athens on Tuesday night.

Former Chelsea boss Ranieri was appointed after this summer's World Cup but in three games has only collected one point.

There are suggestions in Athens he must win Greece's next two games to save his job.

Piturca's departure means Northern Ireland will face a side under new management in Bucharest. The Romanians will have to hurry because the game is on November 14. The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) President Razvan Burleanu is expected to hold a press conference on Monday.

Last night the FRF released a statement saying 58-year-old Piturca, in his third spell as Romanian coach, had his contract terminated by 'mutual agreement'.

Northern Ireland top Group F on nine points with Romania second on seven.

"Perhaps it was an offer he could not refuse," Romania captain Ciprian Marica said. "We have to wish him luck."