Mircea Lucescu steps down as Romania coach following World Cup play-off loss

The choice follows a 1-0 loss against Turkey in the World Cup qualifier play-off semi-final on March 26.

The 80-year-old ended up in hospital last week after feeling unwell during a discussion ahead of training, which kept him away from the squads friendly in Slovakia on Tuesday.

This exit wraps up Lucescus second period as Romania coach. In his initial time leading the side back in the early 1980s, he guided the nation to the 1984 European Championship, marking the countrys debut at the competition.

The FRF noted that Lucescu is set to assume a fresh position inside the group soon. The hunt for his replacement to manage the coming qualification round is already in motion.