What next for Mutu? Romanian press ponder sacked striker's options

Chelsea's Adrian Mutu (R) hits a header with Newcastle's Oliver Bernard. The sacking of Romanian striker Adrian Mutu by English Premiership giants Chelsea for a failed drugs test made the front page of all national newspapers here, as the press pondered the future of their fallen idol.

The sacking of Romanian striker Adrian Mutu by English Premiership giants Chelsea for a failed drugs test made the front page of all national newspapers here, as the press pondered the future of their fallen idol.

Mutu, 25, has claimed he did not test positive for cocaine last September as initially reported but for a substance designed to increase his sexual strength.

And Chelsea, applying their "zero tolerance" policy to drugs, opted Friday to sack the player, a 15.8 million pound signing from Parma last season.

"Mutu Out", "Unemployed", "Shown the door" - ran the headlines in various nationals.

"Mutu's stormy adventure with Chelsea is over. The striker who set the stands alight at the beginning of the season leaves the club by the back door," said the daily Evenimentul Zilei.

"Chelsea's decision amounts to a life suspension for Mutu from major football. The Romanian captain ruined his chance to become the Beckham of the Balkans," the Adevarul said in an editorial.

And the press examined the options open to the striker, who faces a two-year ban, but is considered "too young to bid farewell to football".

According to Jurnalul National, Mutu would be welcomed with open arms at Turkish side Galatasaray, whose Romanian coach Gheorghe Hagi, was best man at his wedding.

Other options include Romanian first division side Dinamo Bucharest and Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk, coached by Romanian Mircea Lucescu.

ProSport, meanwhile, said that the "sexy, eccentric and unconventional (Mutu), has all the criteria to become a top paid model" or "an actor in adult films".