CFR Cluj, and Astra Ploiești. Ioan Ovidiu Sabău led the team to a fantastic streak, at ten points behind Gaz Metan Mediaș, the last team who took an UEFA Europa League spot. The next season, the club failed to maintain its position in the Liga I, finishing 15th, the highest place in the relegation zone. One team from the second division, Politehnica Timișoara, did not receive its licence for the first league, so the Romanian Football Federation had to decide whether to keep the first team under the relegation line, FCM Târgu Mureș, or to promote the team placed third in the Seria II, behind Timișoara. Finally, the FRF decided that Gaz Metan Severin should be promoted, thus FCM ended up being relegated. Return to Liga II The board of directors fixed as an objective for the 2012–13 season the promotion back to the Liga I. However, the team couldn't keep the rhythm set by Corona Brașov and ACS Poli Timișoara, and after the first half of the season it was behind the earlier mentioned two in the league table. The second half of the season was even worse, FCM ending fifth in the West Division of Liga II, ten points behind ACS Poli, which took the second promoting place. Name change and back to first division In 2013, the club changed its name from Fotbal Club Municipal Târgu Mureș to Asociația Sportivă Ardealul 2013 Târgu Mureș. At the end of 2013–14 Liga II they finished second and entered Liga I for the first time with the new name. 2014–15 season On 16 July 2014, the team debuted in Cupa Ligii (), Romania's secondary club football tournament, and lost their first ever match in the competition against CSMS Iași. It was an extraordinary season for "The Red-Blues", securing their very first qualification in a European competition, by finishing second, and winning against two-time defending champions Steaua București both home and away. After the away victory over Steaua, Târgu Mureș seized the first place and was close to obtain a historical league title, however, after a 1–3 loss to Astra Giurgiu, the team fell back to the second place. However, Târgu Mureș kept chances to winning the championship after Steaua's 0–0 draw against CSMS Iași, having to win against relegated Oțelul Galați. Mureș side went to a 1–0 lead, but lost the title after Oțelul turned the score to 1–2. 2015–16