Mircea Lucescu, the former manager of Shakhtar and Dynamo, has been hospitalised following a heart attack.
His condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting doctors to induce a medically induced coma and admit him to the intensive care unit. This was reported by Gazeta Sporturilor.
Lucescu was suddenly admitted to hospital during a meeting at the training ground three days after Romania’s defeat by Turkey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. It was initially planned that he would be discharged from hospital on Friday, 3 April, but on the same day he suffered an acute myocardial infarction.
According to the latest reports, the former Romania manager’s condition has taken a critical turn for the worse. According to Romanian journalist Emanuel Rosu on the X service, Lucescu was transferred to intensive care following severe arrhythmias that did not respond to treatment.
A statement from the hospital noted that the patient had experienced recurrent cardiac arrhythmias, which doctors were able to stabilise in the initial stages. However, the situation deteriorated significantly the following day, and it became necessary to induce an artificial coma. According to the source, three resuscitation procedures and the insertion of a fifth stent were required to stabilise Lucescu.
Lucescu’s family is by his side: his wife Neli and his niece Marilu. Mihai Stoicice, technical director of the Romanian Football Federation, has also arrived at the clinic. The coach’s son, Razvan Lucescu, head coach of PAOK, is expected to join the family after his team’s match against Panathinaikos.
Mircea Lucescu
The Romanian national team took to Instagram to express their full support for their head coach, noting that life is more important than any result on the pitch. A representative of the federation also highlighted the high level of professionalism shown by the hospital’s medical staff and wished the coach a speedy recovery.
Mircea Lucescu and his hospitalisation
Lucescu was admitted to hospital shortly before the national team’s scheduled flight to Bratislava for a friendly match. Due to his condition, he was unable to lead the team during the match against Slovakia, which ended 0–2. The Federation later confirmed that until Lucescu has fully recovered, he will not take part in on-pitch coaching duties, but may remain with the organisation in an administrative role.
Mircea Lucescu became head coach of the Romanian national team for the second time in August 2024, replacing Edward Iordanescu. Under his leadership, the team played 19 matches, securing 11 wins, one draw and six defeats. In October 2024,
Lucescu set a world record: almost 43 years had passed between his first game in charge of the national team and his last. At the age of 80 years and 7 months, he also became the oldest head coach of a national team in the history of world football.
Earlier, Lucescu explained his decision to leave Dynamo Kyiv. He also spoke about the extent to which the war unleashed by Russia has affected football in Ukraine.
