Despite his precarious health conditions, the former Inter coach wants to perform one last miracle as a coach: to bring his national team back to the World Cup
At 80 years old, Mircea Lucescu continues to be a central figure in international football, despite health-related difficulties. The former coach of prestigious clubs such as Inter, Brescia, Reggianaand experiences in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk and in Türkiye with the Galatasaraytoday leads the Romanian national team with determination and passion.
Despite medical problems that he chose to keep private and hospitalizations in recent months, Lucescu decided not to leave the team at the decisive moment of the qualifiers for the World Cup 2026embodying an example of dedication and resilience. The Romanian coach does not want his condition to become the focus of attention: the priority remains the national team and the possibility of bringing it back to a world competition after several years of absence.
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The determination of a tireless coach
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In an interview with The Guardian, the coach of Romania he spoke openly about his choice to remain at the helm of Romania: “When the doctors told me I could continue coaching, I focused on what I had to do for the national team. I spoke to the Federation and they told me they couldn’t find a solution to the situation. I’m not in my best shape, so I would have stepped aside if there was another option. But I want to continue: I’m not leaving like a cowardwe have to believe in our chances of qualifying.”
His bond with Romania is unbreakable: as a footballer he was captain of the National team at the World Cup in 1970and as a coach he has launched talents such as Hagi, building a career with over 30 trophies. He returned to lead the team afterwards Euro 2024Lucescu explained:” I felt it was my duty to take over the team. It wasn’t just a great responsibility, but a duty towards everything that Romanian football has given me.”
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Between modern challenges and difficult memories for Lucescu
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Lucescu also reflected on the difficulties of contemporary football and the weight of the media: “Nowadays it is increasingly difficult to receive appreciation, I would like those who criticize us to put everything in the right context and be objective, without hatred. Let’s see how fake news spreads and how it affects the public. What was possible 40 years ago is no longer possible, with everything that can happen through technology and the media. But it is impossible to build something important if there is all the negativity of the environment around it.”
The Romanian coach’s path was also marked by dramatic moments, like the conflict in Ukraine: “I keep in touch with my former players and my friends in Ukraine. The situation there is terrifying. I remember leaving Donetsk in 2014, when the conflict in Donbass began. I left my apartment with everything inside and never came back, I don’t know what was left.”
Despite everything, the coach is fully focused on his mission: bringing Romania back to the World Cup, but first there is the Türkiye obstacle to overcome in the semi-final.
Football and sports fans can follow numerous events live thanks to dedicated streaming platforms.
Watch football matches streaming on SISAL
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