A former World Cup captain who later managed his nation has died at 80.
Romanian soccer legend Mircea Lucescu has died on the age of 80 (Picture: Getty)
Mircea Lucescu, who beforehand captained Romania on the World Cup earlier than happening to handle his nation, has died on the age of 80. The previous winger represented Romania on soccer’s greatest stage in 1970 and made 64 worldwide appearances between 1966 and 1979. He’s seen as a legend within the nation, having excelled as a participant earlier than taking his expertise to the touchline.
Lucescu managed varied groups in Romania, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia after hanging up his boots within the early Eighties. He was briefly accountable for Inter Milan between 1998 and 1999 however is finest identified for his seven-year spell at Shakhtar Donetsk. Throughout his time there, he turned probably the most profitable coach within the membership’s historical past, successful eight league titles and 6 Ukrainian Cups.
Lucescu initially turned supervisor of Romania in 1981, main them to qualify for the Euros in 1984. They had been finally knocked out within the group levels regardless of incomes a draw in opposition to Spain.
He reprised his position with the nationwide group in 2024 and narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification, overseeing a slender defeat to Turkiye within the playoffs. He stepped down from his place earlier this month, simply days earlier than his dying.
It got here after he suffered a significant well being scare, collapsing throughout a coaching session. He was taken to hospital for assessments, however when he was resulting from be launched he suffered a cardiac arrest.
The unhappy information of his dying was confirmed by the Bucharest College Emergency Hospital (SUUB), who issued an emotional assertion on Tuesday night.
They mentioned: “The Bucharest College Emergency Hospital declares that right this moment, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at round 8:30pm, the dying of Mr Mircea Lucescu was declared.
“Mr Mircea Lucescu was one of the crucial adorned Romanian soccer coaches and gamers, the primary to guide the Romanian nationwide group to qualify for a European Championship in 1984.
Lucescu stepped down from the Romania job solely days earlier than his dying (Picture: Getty)
“Generations of Romanians grew up along with his picture of their hearts, as a nationwide image. Might he relaxation in peace.”
Lucescu can be remembered as one of the crucial profitable managers in soccer historical past, successful a complete of 38 trophies throughout his profession on the touchline. It places him third on the all-time listing, behind solely Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Galatasaray, who Lucescu managed between 2000 and 2002, posted an emotional tribute on social media as they mirrored on his legacy on the membership.
“We’ve discovered with profound sorrow of the passing of Mircea Lucescu, who introduced one other European trophy to our nation with the UEFA Tremendous Cup he gained,” wrote the Turkish giants.
“We prolong our deepest condolences to Mircea Lucescu’s household, family members, and the soccer group. We’ll always remember you, Lucescu.”
Besiktas, one other Turkish membership, added: “We’ve discovered with nice sorrow that our former technical director, Mircea Lucescu, the architect of our championship in our centennial 12 months, has handed away.
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“We’ll always remember you, Lucescu. Relaxation in peace. Farewell, Luce.”
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