the first squad. Back home, the most beautiful years (1990–2000) - FC Național București Simultaneously with the start of the 1991–92 season, the club returned, after 14 years, to the old name of Progresul București, without further additions such as Vulcan, Energia or Șoimii, and with the National Bank as the main sponsor. Vlad Soare, back then, deputy governor of the National Bank, took over the club's destiny and the beneficial effects started to be seen immediately. A few valuable players are brought in to cover up the "suffering" positions; as manager was named Vasile Simionaș, Dumitru Ștefan as assistant manager, finally a long-term program being implemented. Progresul started well the season, but the second part was announced to be more difficult, as Gloria CFR Galați was also in the fight for the first place, threatening "the bankers" with an impressive comeback. Finally "the barbers" promoted with a total of 47 points, returning on the first stage of the Romanian football league system after 10 years. After a tough first season, in which "the Knights of the Sycamore Leaf" were ranked only 15th out of 18, the team started to grow in value, and with it, also the results. During the 1993–94 season Simionaș left the club, but in his place appeared three important coaches: Jackie Ionescu, Viorel Kraus and Gelu Cristoloveanu. Players such as Cârstea, Liță, Tinel Petre, Potocianu or Luțu made their debut for Romania national football team. From an administrative point of view, Cornel Dinu was named as chairman of SC Progresul SA, entity which aimed to bring the team of the National Bank to European standards. Progresul displayed a good football, finishing 9th at the end of the season, far away from the relegation worries. Middle of the 1990s was probably the best period in the history of "the bankers", but at least the best since the end of the 1950s. In the summer of 1994, Progresul was renamed again, this time as FC Național București and Honorary president was named Ilie Năstase. At 50 years since the foundation of the National Bank of Romania, the team led from the bench by Liță Dumitru had an impressive start of the season by defeating Petrolul Ploiești 4–1, Universitatea Craiova 3-2 and Gloria Bistrița 3-1 (at home); Oțelul Galați 5–2, UTA Arad and FC Argeș Pitești 3-0 (away). However, Progresul lost 0–6 in Ghencea, but entered in the