Wetin dey happen? The football world don suffer big blow as Romanian legend Mircea Lucescu don die at 80 years old. The news come from Bucharest University Emergency Hospital wey confirm say the man don pass. Na after dem admit am for heart attack on April 3.
Na true talk. The hospital talk say, “Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984.” Dem yarn again say, “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.” E pain well-well.
How e take happen? The man just dey coach the Romanian national team for their World Cup qualifying playoff match against Turkey on March 29. The Athletic talk say if Romania qualify for the finals, Lucescu for be the oldest manager for World Cup. But three days after the match, e fall sick with heart problem. Dem rush am go hospital on Sunday. By April 2, e don leave the national team as coach, but dem offer am administrative role. E no fit take am.
This man career long well. E manage Romania from 1981 to 1985, but e come back again after e don coach for Italy, Russia and Turkey. For over 45 years, The Athletic report say e manage 1,544 matches. Imagine! Na proper veteran.
The Romanian Football Federation don confirm the death. Na end of one remarkable career wey span several decades and shake European football. E just end him tenure as Romania head coach shortly before the death. But make we no forget say e spend 12 years for Shakhtar Donetsk for Ukraine. For there, e win eight Ukrainian league titles and even carry UEFA Cup for 2009. Achievements full Europe.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin don talk. E praise Lucescu tactical acumen and developmental prowess. Ceferin yarn say the man talent to shape teams and inspire players no get match. Tributes dey pour in from everywhere, recognizing the big influence wey the man get for field and outside.
Football journalist Emanuel Rosu break the news for X post on Tuesday. TASS, the Russian news agency, talk say dem urgently hospitalize Lucescu after e lose consciousness during team practice at end of March. ProSport daily yarn say the man health begin deteriorate at end of 2025. Common cold worsen the heart condition. Dem even hospitalize am again for late January.
For Russia, Lucescu serve as head coach of Zenit St. Petersburg FC for 2016/2017 season. E lead the club to third-place finish for Russian Premier League. The man CV heavy. E manage Italian clubs like Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and even big Inter Milan. For Turkey, e handle Galatasaray and Besiktas. For Ukraine, na Dinamo Kiev and Shakhtar. E take over as Romania head coach for 2024 but resign on April 2 this year.
Last month, Romania lose to Turkey for qualifying play-off semifinal match for 2026 FIFA World Cup spot. ESPN report say dem hospitalize Lucescu after e suffer heart attack on morning of April 3. The hospital statement wey ESPN quote repeat the same words about him being first to qualify Romania for European Championship and national symbol.
The man legacy go remain. From player to coach, e touch many lives. The football community dey mourn one of their own. The stories dey plenty, the memories dey deep. For Romania and across Europe, the name Mircea Lucescu go forever dey for history books. E don go, but the impact no go fade.
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