Poenaru retired in 1992, and started his managerial career in 1990, as a player-manager at Aripile Bacău.
Subsequently, he was one of the most important managers in the history of Petrolul Moinești, team which he promoted at the level of the second tier and maintained it there for next years.
[1] In the top-flight Poenaru also managed Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț and Jiul Petroșani; in the second tier FC Onești and Laminorul Roman.
After SC Bacău relegation from Liga II, Poenaru retired from the manager career, also having some health problems related to the heart.
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