33 Facts About Mircea Lucescu

Mircea Lucescu is one of the most decorated managers of all time.

Mircea Lucescu had spells at Stiinta Bucuresti and Corvinul Hunedoara, and made 70 appearances for the Romania national team, which he captained in the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

Mircea Lucescu has coached various sides in Romania, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia.

Mircea Lucescu won trophies in Ukraine with Shakhtar's rival Dynamo Kyiv, as well as Divizia A titles with Dinamo Bucuresti and Rapid Bucuresti, and Turkish Super Lig titles with Galatasaray and Besiktas.

Mircea Lucescu was named Romania Coach of the Year in 2004,2010,2012,2014 and 2021, and Ukraine Coach of the Year in 2006 and between 2008 and 2014.

Mircea Lucescu is ranked third in terms of official trophies won, with 38.

Mircea Lucescu was born on 29 July 1945 in Bucharest, Romania and started playing football as a junior at Scoala Sportiva 2 Bucuresti.

Mircea Lucescu has a total of 12 seasons spent at Dinamo, in which he appeared in 250 Divizia A games and scored 57 goals, including nine in the derby against Steaua, playing 15 games in which he scored three goals in European competitions, managing to score against each of the Madrid giants Real and Atletico in the European Cup, however on both occasions Dinamo did not succeed to get past the Spaniards further in the competition.

Mircea Lucescu played seven matches and scored two goals at the 1972 Euro qualifiers, managing to reach the quarter-finals where Romania was defeated by Hungary, who advanced to the final tournament.

Mircea Lucescu had results everywhere he went, he knows how to adapt to all situations.

Mircea Lucescu is a man of infinite culture and he is a very simple person.

Mircea Lucescu was taught and learned many things about coaching from Viorel Mateianu, being very impressed by his working methods, coming to study his training sessions at FC Baia Mare, sometimes asking Mateianu to extend his training sessions so he can see more of his methods, he went to his home where they would talk all night about football and draw tactical game schemes together.

In July 1996, Mircea Lucescu signed with Serie A club, Reggiana, bringing Ioan Sabau with him, but his spell lasted until November 1996, being dismissed because of poor results, the team finishing on the last place in the end of the season.

Mircea Lucescu left the club in March 1999, one of the reasons being a conflict with Ronaldo.

Mircea Lucescu was sacked at the end of the season, despite winning the league championship, and was replaced by Fatih Terim.

Shortly after his departure from Galatasaray in June 2002, Mircea Lucescu signed a contract with rivals Besiktas.

In May 2004, Mircea Lucescu joined Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk and led their rise to prominence in Ukraine the following years.

Mircea Lucescu guided Shakhtar to a domestic treble, winning the Premier League, the Ukrainian Cup and the Super Cup.

Mircea Lucescu's son, Razvan Lucescu, is a former goalkeeper who at several points managed Rapid Bucuresti, a team his father had previously managed.

Mircea Lucescu has won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine in 2006,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013 and 2014.

Mircea Lucescu led Shakhtar into the semi-finals of Europa League during his last season in charge, being eliminated by defending champions and eventual winners Sevilla.

Mircea Lucescu announced his resignation in early 2016, ending a 12-year period in charge of Shakhtar and becoming the club's greatest manager.

On 24 May 2016, Mircea Lucescu agreed to a two-year deal with Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg, with an extension option for another year.

On 23 July 2020, Mircea Lucescu returned to Ukraine after signing a two-year contract with the main rival of his former club Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv.

Mircea Lucescu's spell started in a controversial way, as he attempted to resign from his position after only a couple of days.

Mircea Lucescu was living in Kyiv in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mircea Lucescu initially wanted to stay put, but fled to his homeland on the advice of the Romanian embassy, as a way to help Dynamo's foreign players get to safety.

On 6 August 2024, Mircea Lucescu returned as the head coach of the Romania national team, 38 years after his first tenure.

Mircea Lucescu started writing chronicles, comments and match analysis in 1980 at the "Drumul Socialismului" newspaper.

Mircea Lucescu speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French and Russian in addition to his native Romanian.

Mircea Lucescu is often cited as telling his players that going to the theatre or reading a book is far more beneficial than going to clubs or restaurants.

Mircea Lucescu's son, Razvan Lucescu, was a footballer, and is currently managing PAOK.

On 15 July 2009, Mircea Lucescu suffered an attack of pre-infarct angina, and was operated in an emergency hospital in Donetsk.