Legendary manager Mircea Lucescu has passed away at the age of 80, only five days after stepping down from his role as head coach of the Romanian national team.
Lucescu resigned on Thursday after falling ill just before a training session. He was receiving medical treatment after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.
“The Romanian Football Federation expresses its boundless regret following the death of the one who was, is and will remain an absolute legend: Mircea Lucescu,” the country’s federation said in a statement. “Our football loses not only a brilliant tactician, but a mentor, a visionary, and a national symbol who carried the tricolour to the highest peaks of global success.”
He managed Romania between 1981 and 1986 before returning for a second stint in 2024. His final match in charge was a 1-0 playoff defeat to Turkey on 26 March, which meant Romania missed qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Lucescu also took charge of Inter Milan, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, Dynamo Kyiv, and the Turkish national team during a long and varied managerial career that began 47 years ago at Corvinul Hunedoara.
“We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of Mircea Lucescu, the winning manager of our UEFA Super Cup and 15th Turkish league titles. Rest in peace, Luce, we will never forget you,” Galatasaray posted on X.
Inter Milan said: “The entire Inter family mourn the passing of Mircea Lucescu and extend heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.”
As a player, Lucescu made 64 appearances for Romania and captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.
“It is a black day for Romania and for world football. A man who lived through and for football in every second of his existence has left us,” said Romanian Football Federation president Răzvan Burleanu. “Mircea Lucescu was not just a coach, but a life teacher for entire generations of players. He was a man who loved this sport more than anything in life, and his impact on our football is immeasurable.”
