An iconic football manager has died shortly after suffering a health scare while taking a training session.
Mircea Lucescu, 80, went into the international break as Romania manager – but after collapsing while taking a training session he decided to step down. Lucescu was taken to hospital for tests, but when he was due to be released he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Lucescu was taken to ICU where he was placed in an induced coma, but his health failed to improve, and the iconic manager sadly passed away on Tuesday evening. Romanian journalist Emanuel Roşu confirmed the tragic news with a post on social media.
(Image: Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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He said: “Tragic news. Mircea Lucescu died 15 minutes ago. He leaves behind an entire universe. May God rest his soul. Less than two weeks ago, he led Romania v Turkiye in the play-off for the World Cup, despite being so ill.”
And more tributes poured in on social media: Mircea Lucescu, one of Romania’s greatest football legends, has passed away at the age of 80. Rest in peace, Il Luce,” a Romanian news channel said.
Besiktas posted: “We have learned with great sorrow that our former manager, the architect of our championship in our 100th year, Mircea Lucescu, has passed away. We will never forget you, Lucescu. Rest in peace. Farewell, Luce.”
While Galatasaray said: “We have learned with profound sorrow of the passing of Mircea Lucescu, who brought another European trophy to our country with the UEFA Super Cup he won and who served as our team’s manager in our 15th championship as well.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Mircea Lucescu’s family, loved ones, and the football community. We will never forget you, Lucescu.”
In an interview a couple of weeks before his death, Lucescu admitted: “When the doctors told me I could go on coaching, I focused on what I had to do for Romania.
“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 away if there was another option available.
“But I insist: I can’t leave like a coward. We must believe in our chance to qualify.”