Mircea Lucescu departs as Romania head coach after health scare
The Romanian Football Federation has confirmed the end of its collaboration with head coach Mircea Lucescu. The 80-year-old legend of Romanian football leaves the role he has held since August 2024, with the federation releasing a video announcement on Thursday to mark his departure. His exit follows a recent cardiac episode that required hospitalization, casting significant doubt over his future in management.
Lucescu was transported to hospital last Sunday after suffering a heart-related incident ahead of a planned training session. According to reports from Romania, this was not an isolated health concern, with the veteran coach having been hospitalized on several previous occasions due to illness during his tenure. This latest scare appears to have precipitated the mutual decision to end his contract with the national team.
His final match in charge was a 1-0 defeat to Turkey, a result that ultimately cost Romania a place at the 2026 World Cup. Lucescu's overall record with the Tricolorii stands at 11 victories, one draw, and five defeats. While he succeeded in revitalizing the team's competitive spirit, the failure to secure World Cup qualification marks a disappointing conclusion to his international management career.
The departure likely brings down the curtain on a remarkable 43-year coaching career that has spanned multiple countries and clubs. Lucescu, the oldest manager in international football at the time of his appointment, is most celebrated for his transformative spell at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won numerous Ukrainian titles and the UEFA Cup in 2009. He also had significant periods in charge of Dynamo Kyiv, Besiktas, and Zenit Saint Petersburg, earning a reputation as a shrewd tactician and developer of talent.
For the Romanian Federation, the search for a successor begins immediately, with the team now entering a new cycle focused on qualification for the 2028 European Championship. The federation will likely seek a younger, long-term appointment to build upon the foundation Lucescu established. His exit, prompted by health concerns, is met with widespread respect for his legacy, though it leaves Romanian football at a crossroads as it plans for the future without its most experienced figure.
