Legendary manager dies in hospital two weeks after taking charge of World Cup play-off

Romanian icon Mircea Lucescu has died at the age of 80 just weeks after leading the nation into a World Cup play-off. The European nation took on Turkey in a qualifying semi-final last month, losing 1-0 following Ferdi Kadioglu’s strike.

Just days after that defeat, Lucescu resigned from his position after being diagnosed with heart arrhythmia following a collapse in training. And it has now been confirmed that Lucescu has sadly passed away. A statement from Bucharest University Emergency Hospital read: "Today, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at around 8:30 p.m., the death of Mr. Mircea Lucescu was declared.

“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984. Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol. May God rest his soul!"

Tributes have since flowed in for Lucescu following his death. A post on X from Turkish giants Galatasaray read: “We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of Mircea Lucescu, the winning manager of our UEFA Super Cup and 15th Turkish league titles. Rest in peace Luce, we will never forget you.”

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Romanian side Dinamo București, who Lucescu both played for and managed, said: “The eternal image of a symbol! Unfortunately, today, the world of Romanian football is poorer.

“Mircea Lucescu, our former great player and emblematic coach, left us at the age of 80. For Dinamo, it's not just a loss. It's the separation from a part of its own identity.

“Mircea Lucescu wasn't just a name in the club's history. He was one of those who wrote it. For Dinamo, the name Lucescu will never be just a chapter in history. It will remain a symbol. A symbol of passion, sacrifice and excellence.

Mircea Lucescu

Mircea Lucescu has died at the age of 80(Image: Getty Images)

“Today we say goodbye, but his legacy remains alive in the club's colors, in the memory of the supporters, and in everything that the Dynamo spirit means. Rest in peace, Mircea Lucescu! Dinamo Club sends its sincere condolences to the bereaved family and to all those who loved him.”

Lucescu enjoyed a lengthy career in management, having first moved into the dugout in 1979 with Corvinul Hunedoara. His first spell with the Romanian national team followed, while he also had stints with Dinamo Bucuresti, Pisa, Brescia, Regianna and Inter Milan.

He could also count Galatasaray, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg and Turkey among his employers.