Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu passes away at the age of 80

Legendary former player and coach Mircea Lucescu passed away on Tuesday, April 7th, at the age of 80. Lucsescu was most recently the head coach of the Romanian national team.

Mircea Lucescu’s death occurred on Tuesday and was confirmed by the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital (SUUB).

"The Bucharest University Emergency Hospital announces that today, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at around 8:30 PM, the death of Mr Mircea Lucescu was declared.

"Mr Mircea Lucescu was one of the most decorated Romanian football coaches and players, the first to lead the Romanian national team to qualify for a European Championship in 1984.

"Generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol. May he rest in peace!" SUUB stated. 

Mircea Lucescu was admitted urgently on March 29th to the Bucharest University Hospital after he fell ill during a technical meeting ahead of a training session with the national football team.

On April 2nd, Lucescu resigned as the head coach of Romania after his hospitalisation.

His condition worsened on Sunday (April 5th), prompting doctors to transfer him to the Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he is currently in an induced coma.

On Tuesday, around noon, the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital released new information about Mircea Lucescu’s health.

According to medical staff, following a CT scan, "multiple signs of cerebral ischemic strokes and areas of pulmonary thromboembolism were identified."