Mircea Lucescu, Romania Coach, Hospitalized After Sudden Health Scare

The Romanian Football Federation announced that national team coach Mircea Lucescu, 80, was admitted to the University Hospital in Bucharest after suffering a sudden health incident on Sunday morning.

Romanian media reports indicated that Lucescu lost consciousness near the team's training headquarters, prompting medical staff to provide on-site resuscitation before he was transported for necessary treatment and diagnosis. His condition revealed heart rhythm disturbances.

Speaking from the hospital, Mircea Lucescu provided an update on his health, stating: "I feel fine now, I have fully recovered, but I am still undergoing some additional tests, which is why I am still in the hospital."

This health crisis comes just two days before Romania's anticipated friendly match in Slovakia, scheduled for Tuesday. The veteran coach's absence from the trip has been confirmed to ensure he completes thorough medical examinations under specialist supervision.

The coach's wife, Neli Lucescu, indicated that his condition is stable, easing concerns that had spread throughout Romanian sports circles. She said: "He left home in full physical fitness this morning and was feeling well."

Lucescu is a prominent figure in European football, having returned to lead the Romanian national team in August 2024. His extensive coaching career includes stints with clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk and Galatasaray, in addition to a previous period with the national team between 1981 and 1986.

The Romanian national team currently faces technical challenges after their defeat to Turkey in the World Cup playoff semi-final last Thursday.

The team will have to contend with the absence of their technical director in the upcoming match against Slovakia, while the sports community awaits the final test results to ensure the well-being of the coach who recently took on his duties with the aim of rebuilding the national team's identity.