Mircea Lucescu: Legendary manager dies after retiring as coach

Legendary manager Mircea Lucescu has died aged 80, five days after stepping down as Romania’s head coach.

Lucescu resigned on Thursday after falling ill before a training session.

He subsequently received treatment in hospital reportedly, external Had a heart attack Friday morning.

“The Romanian Football Federation expresses its endless regret after 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 is not only losing a brilliant tactician, but a mentor, a visionary and a national symbol who carried the tricolor to the highest peaks of global success.”

He ruled Romania between 1981 and 1986 before returning for a second spell in charge in 2024.

His last game in charge was a 1–0 play-off defeat against Turkey on 26 March which meant Romania missed out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Lucescu has also taken charge of Inter Milan, Galatasaray, Besiktas, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, Dynamo Kiev and Turkey in a long and varied managerial career that began at Corvinul Hunedoara 47 years ago.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of 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 mourns the passing of Mircea Lucescu and extends its deepest 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 the president of the Romanian Football Federation, Razvan Burleanu.

“Mircea Lucescu was not only 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.”