“This morning the patient suffered an acute heart attack,” a hospital representative confirmed regarding Mircea Lucescu’s condition.
The 80-year-old former head coach of the Romania national football team has been transferred to intensive care due to a heart rhythm disorder. Lucescu experienced an increase in heart rhythm irregularities and did not respond to treatment, prompting the urgent medical intervention.
Lucescu was hospitalized on March 29 after falling ill during the Romania national team camp, just days after the team suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Türkiye in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers play-offs on March 26.
Following his hospitalization, Lucescu officially stepped down as head coach of the Romanian national team on April 2. Under his management, the team recorded 11 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses in 18 official matches.
Despite his resignation, the Romanian Football Federation is reportedly considering continuing cooperation with Lucescu in another role, reflecting his significant contributions to the sport.
As of now, the hospital has stated, “His condition is currently stable and he is being carefully monitored by specialists.” The football community is rallying around Lucescu, hoping for a swift recovery.
Lucescu is well-known for his successful stints with Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv, and his impact on Romanian football has been profound.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps for Lucescu’s health and potential future involvement in football.