Meanwhile, the partnership with businessman Marius Vizer and his company, Liberty, was extended, the objective of promotion was more pressing than ever. Unfortunately, although there were big ambitions, the first part of the 2012–13 season did not bring the expected results and the team was far from the objective. Coach Claudiu Niculescu was dismissed and Marian Pană was hired instead and five valuable players have signed contracts with FC Bihor: Florin Lazăr, Ciprian Vasilache, Ovidiu Mihalache, Cristian Bud and Daniel Vădrariu. In the second part of the season it has been tried an evolution without mistake, a journey of force to return on the top places, but unfortunately, FC Bihor ranked only 7th with 33 points.