Mircea Lucescu on 60 years in football, ‘I often coached my old club’s rival’ | OneFootball

Hospitalised this month, Romania manager Mircea Lucescu, 80, will, if his health allows, try in March to lead his country to the next World Cup. He has been reflecting on a career spanning more than 60 years and 38 trophies.

"We lost 3-2 to Brazil but played very well," he said, recalling buying blue shirts the night before, speaking to L'Équipe.

"For one year I was player, coach, national manager, head of the coaches’ school and on the federation executive," he said. At Euro 84 they drew Spain, then, amid kit and travel woes, went out 1-0 to Portugal before missing 1986.

He led Dinamo Bucuresti from 1985 to 1990 and embraced early video analysis, having students film games and studying English tapes to brief players.

Inter followed in 1998. "We had four number 10s but no defence," he said after a Champions League exit to Manchester United. He won the 2000 UEFA Super Cup with Galatasaray against Real Madrid, then led Besiktas to a league title, noting, "I often coached the rival of my old team".

At Shakhtar Donetsk from 2004 to 2016 he won the 2009 UEFA Cup. "With Brazilians you can be sure there will be a show," he said.

He returned as Romania manager in August 2024, saying, "No one wanted the job, I could not refuse. We must return to our roots, a possession, constructive game".

Romania play in Türkiye on 26 March, then Slovakia or Kosovo. "I am proof that at 80 life continues".

Source: L'Équipe