In 2008 led by coach Cristian Pustai, a former Gaz Metan player, the team secured promotion to Liga I from second spot after a hard fight and promoted to Liga I, 8 years away from the last presence, team: Ștețca – Grillo, Lazăr, Zaharia, Buzean – Dudiță, Eric, Hoban, Curtean – Boaru, C.Prodan. The team finished the 2008–09 season on 15th position out of 18 teams, the last spot leading to relegation. Following the corruption scandal involving FC Argeș Pitești and the subsequent relegation of the team in Liga II, Gaz Metan remained in the first league. 2009–10 season was finished on the 10th place, far away from the relegation zone, providing a new record for the club, 3 consecutive seasons in the Liga I.