Mircea Lucescu Returns as Romania's National Team Coach

Romania has rehired Mircea Lucescu to lead its national football team, replacing Edward Iordanescu. Lucescu, 79, has vast coaching experience, including stints with Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk. His primary goal is to qualify Romania for the 2026 World Cup. He emphasizes his deep commitment to Romanian football.

Romania has brought back veteran coach Mircea Lucescu for a second tenure in charge of the national team, replacing Edward Iordanescu, the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) announced on Tuesday. The 79-year-old Lucescu previously coached Romania from 1981 to 1986 and has an extensive resume, including managing Serie A's Inter Milan, Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray, and Ukrainian Premier League team Shakhtar Donetsk, in addition to the Turkey national team.

Lucescu last managed Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv and has now signed a two-year contract with Romania, with the primary objective of qualifying the team for the 2026 World Cup. 'I am a 100% product of Romanian football,' Lucescu stated. 'I have great confidence in this generation of players; it is a group that has significant growth potential.'

Under Iordanescu, Romania made it to the knockout stages of the 2024 European Championship for the first time in 24 years but were subsequently eliminated by the Netherlands in the round of 16. 'Their performance at Euro 2024 in Germany gives them the confidence to believe in their potential and aim for the World Cup,' Lucescu added. 'The only reason I decided to return to the national team is my love for football and my commitment to Romanian football.'

(With inputs from agencies.)