Cătălin Răcănel (born 23 September 1976) is a Romanian former professional footballer[1] and manager.

BornBucharest, Romania, Răcănel grew up in Germany and played for the youth teams of SG Erbach and FC Homburg.

After only one year in Elversberg, he left for SV Eintracht Trier 05 who also played in Regionalliga West/Südwest.

At the start of the 2001–02 season, Răcănel signed for newly promoted Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli.

Răcănel signed for fourth-tier side Sachsen Leipzig in the NOFV-Oberliga.