Gheorghe Hagi returns as Romania head coach on four-year deal | OneFootball

Gheorghe Hagi has been appointed Romania head coach on a four-year contract, the Romanian federation announced on Monday. The 61-year-old succeeds Mircea Lucescu, who died on 7 April.

Presented in Bucharest at a press conference, Hagi, widely known as the King, returns to lead the national team. The former playmaker starred for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Galatasaray.

His brief is to revive a side eliminated in the 2026 World Cup play-offs by Türkiye, 1-0.

The appointment follows Lucescu being removed from the role at the start of April because of health problems. Hagi previously held the post briefly in 2001, taking charge of four matches.

Since then, he has built a strong reputation as a coach and club builder, most notably at Farul Constana, whom he led to the national title in 2023.

At his unveiling, the former captain said he felt honoured to return and was ambitious about what lies ahead. His first camp is scheduled for June with friendlies against Georgia and Wales, before a Nations League campaign against Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland.

Source: L'Équipe