Ion Caras

Ion Caras (born August 20, 1950) is a Moldovan football manager and former player. He is best known for his long tenure as the manager of the Moldova national football team, a position he held intermittently between 1991 and 2015.

Caras began his playing career in the Soviet Union before transitioning into coaching. He has managed several club teams in Moldova, including Zimbru Chișinău, with whom he achieved notable success.

His managerial career is largely defined by his involvement with the Moldovan national team. He oversaw numerous qualifying campaigns for the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. While Moldova did not qualify for any major tournaments under his leadership, Caras is recognized for his contributions to the development of football in the country and his dedication to the national team program. He is often credited with instilling a sense of national pride within the team and establishing a consistent tactical approach.

Following his departure from the national team, Caras has continued to be involved in Moldovan football in various advisory and developmental roles.