After a brief but eventful tenure, the 80-year-old coach has left the national team, raising questions about Romania’s next tactical direction.
Mircea Lucescu has officially stepped down as head coach of the Romanian national football team.
The decision was announced by the Romanian Football Federation’s press service. The information is confirmed by members of the national team’s staff.
Timeline of tenure and achievements
The 80-year-old coach led the national team from the summer of 2024, overseeing 18 official matches: 11 wins, one draw, and six losses.
Under his leadership, the team rose to UEFA Nations League Division B, but failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing to Turkey in the playoff semifinal 0-1.
The federation president Razvan Burleanu noted that the organization is considering the possibility of continuing cooperation with Lucescu in another role – an administrative position.
In the context of his career, the specialist is also known to Ukrainian fans for his work with Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv.
Such steps could signal a new phase of development for the national team and Romanian football as a whole.