FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Mircea Lucescu is no longer the coach of the Romanian national team. Although he had a contract valid until the summer, the parties have decided to part ways after the elimination in the semi-finals of the World Cup play-offs.
The loss to Turkey ended Romania's hopes of qualifying, accelerating the decision to sack the experienced coach.
Lucescu leaves setting a special record, as at the age of 80 he is considered the oldest coach to ever lead a national team.
The President of the Romanian Football Federation, Razvan Burleanu, confirmed the separation and left open the possibility of a new collaboration with the veteran coach.
" We are expecting Mr. Lucescu in a new role in the coming months, so that Romanian football can benefit from his experience in preparing players and coaches ," said Burleanu.
According to Romanian media, one of the leading candidates to take over the national team is legend Gheorghe Hagi. If the appointment is confirmed, this would be the second time he has taken charge of the national team, after a brief stint in 2001.
Lucescu was appointed to lead Romania in August 2024, on a two-year contract. However, the results in crucial matches led to the premature end of the collaboration.
A few days before the decisive match, the coach was hospitalized due to health problems, but recovered in time to be on the bench in the friendly against Slovakia.
In the official response, the Romanian Football Federation thanked Lucescu for his contribution, highlighting the balance of 11 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses during the last term.
This was not his first time managing Romania. In the 1980s, Lucescu led the national team to historic qualification for the 1984 European Championship.
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