The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) announced on Thursday that Mircea Lucescu has officially stepped down as head coach of the national team. He was rushed to the hospital for heart problems before his departure was confirmed.

The 80-year-old Lucescu began his coaching career in 1979 and coached the Romanian national team for five years in the early 1980s (1981-1986). During his first term with the Romanian team, he led them to a record of 24 wins, 19 draws, and 16 losses, and qualified for the 1984 European Championship.

After leaving Romania, Lucescu left his mark on teams including Dynamo Bucharest, Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana, Rapid Bucharest, Inter Milan, Galatasaray, Besiktas, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Turkey, and Dynamo Kyiv. He returned to the Romanian national team in August 2024, achieving a record of 11 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses during his second term.

However, Romania lost 0-1 in the semi-final of the European World Cup qualifiers last week, missing the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Three days later, Lucescu suddenly felt unwell with a heart condition at a technical meeting, but fortunately, he was fine.

Despite resigning as national team coach, Mircia Lucescu is expected to remain with the Romanian Football Federation in another capacity. Federation President Razvan Burleanu stated, "Mr. Lucescu accepted the challenge and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to Romania, demonstrating unparalleled passion and commitment. Through tireless efforts and consistent professionalism, he embodies a genuine love for the national team and football, earning the respect and gratitude of us and all football fans."

"We look forward to Mr. Lucescu taking up his new position at the Romanian Football Federation in the coming months, so that Romanian football can benefit from the wealth of experience he has accumulated throughout his career, and our coaches and players can be better developed."

The question of who will succeed Lucescu remains unresolved. Among the candidates, Romanian football legend Georgie Hagi is considered the most promising successor.

Image source: Internet