Romanian soccer legend Mircea Lucescu dies at the age of 80 (Image: Getty)
Mircea Lucescu, who captained the Romanian national team at the World Cup and later became the manager of his country, has died at the age of 80. The former winger first appeared on soccer’s biggest stage for Romania in 1970, making 64 international appearances between 1966 and 1979. He excelled as a player on the touchline and is considered a legend in his country.
After retiring in the early 1980s, Lucescu coached various teams in Romania, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia. He briefly managed Inter Milan in 1998-1999, but is best known for his seven-year spell at Shakhtar Donetsk. During his tenure, he became the most successful manager in the club’s history, winning eight league titles and six Ukrainian Cups.
Lucescu was appointed manager of the Romanian national team in 1981 and led them to qualification for the 1984 Euros. Although they drew with Spain, they were ultimately eliminated in the group stage.
He resumed his role with the national team in 2024, but narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Cup due to a narrow loss to Turkiye in the play-offs. He resigned from his position earlier this month, days before his death.
It was after he suffered a major health scare in which he collapsed during a training session. He was taken to the hospital for tests, but when he was scheduled to be released, he went into cardiac arrest.
The sad news of his death was confirmed by the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital (SUUB), which released an emotional statement on Tuesday evening.
They said: “The Bucharest University Emergency Hospital announces that today, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at around 8:30 pm, Mr. Mircea Lucescu was declared dead.
“Mircea Lucescu is one of the most decorated coaches and players in Romanian football, leading the Romanian national team to qualification for the European Championship for the first time in 1984.
Lucescu resigned from his post in Romania days before his death. (Image: Getty)
“Generations of Romanians have grown up with his image in their hearts as a national symbol. We pray for his repose.”
Lucescu will be remembered as one of the most successful managers in football history, winning a total of 38 trophies during his career on the touchline. This makes him the third-highest player of all time after Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Galatasaray, where Lucescu was manager from 2000 to 2002, posted an emotional tribute on social media, reflecting on his achievements at the club.
“It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Mircea Lucescu, who brought another European trophy to our country with the won UEFA Super Cup,” the Turkish giants wrote.
“My deepest condolences to Mircea Lucescu’s family, loved ones and the world of football. We will never forget you, Lucescu.”
Another Turkish club, Besiktas, added: “We have learned with great regret that our former technical director Mircea Lucescu, who built our championship on our 100th anniversary, has passed away.”
“We will never forget you, Lucescu. Rest in peace. Farewell, Luce.”
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