Gheorghe Hagi named new coach for Romania national team after Lucescu passing

The announcement came during the Romanian Football Federations official press conference held on Monday, attended by Razvan Burleanu, the federations president, and Mihai Stoichita, its technical director.

Discussions between the federation and Hagi have concluded, with the celebrated former player emerging as the primary candidate to replace Mircea Lucescu, who assumed the national team role in August 2024 before his untimely death.

"A great honour, a great responsibility to once again represent Romania, as I did as a player, I hope to do it as a coach. All that matters is to perform, to be successful," Hagi stated in his initial remarks upon taking the coaching position.

During his speech, Burleanu remarked, "After several attempts over the years to have Gica Hagi with us, today we can confirm that Gica Hagi is returning to the national team. We are very confident about this journey that we are starting together, with the best players we have at our disposal, to fulfil our objective. Our first objective is to win the next match."

Hagi set for historic return in second term as manager

Hagi now embarks on his second period leading the Romanian national team, following his previous stint from 1 September to 27 November 2001.

Stepping in right after his playing retirement and in his debut coaching role, Hagi served for just three months, stepping down soon after Romania failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup via playoff ties of 1-2 and 1-1 against Slovenia.

Throughout his managerial path, Hagi has led teams such as Bursaspor, Galatasaray, Poli Timisoara, Steaua Bucuresti, FC Viitorul Constanta, and Farul Constanta. His achievements encompass two league titles with FC Viitorul and Farul, a Romanian Cup with FC Viitorul, a Romanian Super Cup with FC Viitorul, and a Turkish Cup with Galatasaray.

Hagi steps in for Mircea Lucescu, whose deal ended on 2 April. Lucescu required emergency hospital care on 29 March after becoming unwell during a team technical meeting ahead of training, shortly after Romanians 1-0 loss to Turkey on 26 March, which dashed their 2026 World Cup hopes.

On 7 April, Mircea Lucescu passed away at 80 years old in Bucharests University Hospital.