“Bravo federation”, discarded cap, top-3 in terms of trophies: what Lucescu will be remembered for in world and Ukrainian football

Mircea Lucescu, former coach of Bucharest "Dinamo", Italian "Brescia", "Reggiana", "Inter", Turkish "Galatasaray" and "Beşiktaş", as well as the national teams of Turkey and Romania, and also Donetsk "Shakhtar" and Kyiv "Dynamo", passed away at the age of 80 after a long heart illness.

UNN tells what the Romanian specialist was remembered for in world and Ukrainian football.

Lucescu was born on July 29, 1945, in Bucharest and was the fourth child in the family. He spent most of his football career at "Dinamo" (Bucharest), playing as a forward. In 1965, the forward moved to "Știința", where he spent two seasons, after which he joined "Corvinul", where he began his coaching career, combining it with his playing career.

From 1981 to 1986, Lucescu headed the Romanian national football team, after which he returned to coaching at the club level.

TOP-3 in terms of trophies

In 2004, Lucescu took charge of Donetsk "Shakhtar", which he transformed into a top brand. Under his leadership, the "miners" played 573 matches. Together with the Donetsk team, the Romanian coach won 22 trophies: 8 Ukrainian championship titles, 6 Ukrainian Cups, and 7 Ukrainian Super Cups. Mircea Lucescu is the club's record holder for the number of seasons played, matches, and titles won, and the most successful coach in the entire history of "Shakhtar".

Probably, the most significant victory at the head of the "miners" was the victory in the final of the last UEFA Cup draw in the 2008/2009 season, where "Shakhtar" defeated German "Werder" - 2:1.

Lucescu left "Shakhtar" in 2016, and four years later returned to Ukraine to lead Kyiv "Dynamo", which he led to the Champions League for the first time in 5 years, and also won the Ukrainian championship "gold", the Ukrainian Cup, and the Ukrainian Super Cup with the Kyivans.

Overall, Lucescu is among the top 3 most titled coaches in the world (30 trophies), second only to Sir Alex Ferguson (49 trophies) and current "Manchester City" coach Pep Guardiola (40 trophies).

"Bravo Federation" and a thrown hat

In November 2006, another match between "Dynamo" and "Shakhtar" took place in Kyiv, which was remembered by an epochal phrase uttered by the head coach of the "miners", Mircea Lucescu.

During the match, "Mister" was enraged by the sending off of Dmytro Chygrynskyi, which led to the coach being sent off by the referee. On his way to the under-tribune area, Lucescu threw his hat onto the field and then exclaimed the legendary phrase: "Bravo, Federation, bravo."

"The Ukrainian championship has disgraced itself. It shouldn't have been like this, but I was sure it would be exactly like this. Because such precedents have already happened. Remember, for example, the Ukrainian Cup final two years ago and the arrival of Terje Hauge. I think everything will continue like this. All problems are due to the fact that the referees are invited by the Football Federation of Ukraine. And the FFU is "Dynamo" Kyiv. The arrival of a foreign specialist only creates the appearance of impartial refereeing. He arrives in Kyiv two days before the game. Probably, they work with him here. They manage to properly prepare him for the game," Lucescu fumed at the post-match press conference.

Lifetime monument

In 2015, Shakhtar announced that they would erect a monument to Lucescu near Donbass Arena after returning to Donetsk. At that time, the coach was presented with a miniature copy, and fans were shown the project.

It was reported that the bronze sculpture had already been made and was located at the club's base in Kyiv. In 2020, the "miners" planned to present the monument for his 75th birthday, but the club's management changed their mind because Lucescu took charge of the "miners'" principal rival - Kyiv "Dynamo".

Media reported that the sculpture of Mircea Lucescu was transported to Romania for the celebration of the Romanian coach's 80th birthday.

Lucescu about Ukraine and his career in Russia

In 2016, when Lucescu left "Shakhtar" and moved to St. Petersburg "Zenit", the coach declared the unity of Ukraine and Russia.

After Donetsk, it was not difficult for me to adapt. Russia and Ukraine are the same country for me. They were separated by chance, by history. But for my peers, all this is the former Soviet Union. The customs and life here are the same, the way of thinking is identical, the type of behavior is also the same.

In March 2026, in an interview with The Guardian, Lucescu said he did not know what had happened to his home in Donetsk after the club moved due to the start of Russian aggression 12 years ago.

I keep in touch with my former players and friends in Ukraine. The situation there is terrible. I remember leaving Donetsk in 2014 when the conflict started in Donbas. I left my apartment with all my belongings and never returned. I don't know what happened to my house. I have no information from anyone, as we had to move the club from Donetsk.

Lobanovskyi's criticism

In 2019, France Football magazine created a list of the world's best coaches, where former coach of Kyiv "Dynamo", USSR national team, and Ukraine national team Valeriy Lobanovskyi took 6th place, and Lucescu - 41st.

Then "Mister" was surprised that Lobanovskyi made it into the top ten, while he was in 41st position, stating that Lobanovskyi had not coached outside the USSR.

Lucescu later apologized, stating that his words had been misunderstood.

I want to say that I regret what happened and I apologize. I apologize to the fans of "Dynamo", because I know many of them, and to those players who played under Lobanovskyi. I did not imagine that there would be such a resonance. I was asked about the ranking of coaches and I said that I was surprised by Lobanovskyi's place, because he did not coach outside the Soviet Union. But I perfectly understand that he was a great coach, an important coach, because he created a system.

Already during Lucescu's time at "Dynamo", the coach laid flowers at Lobanovskyi's monument.

Reaction of the football community

The death of the coach was reacted to, in particular, by the former clubs of "Mister", as well as players who played under Lucescu.

For me, Mircea Lucescu will forever remain a great Coach and a man with a big football heart. Today I mourn with Mircea Lucescu's family and the entire football world. Thank you for everything, dear Mister. Football Club "Shakhtar" expresses its deepest condolences to Mircea Lucescu's family – his wife Nelly, son Răzvan, grandchildren Meril and Matei, his relatives and friends, everyone who knew and appreciated Mister. These days, all our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and millions of fans in Romania and around the world. Thank you for everything, Mister. Your name is forever inscribed in the history of world football.

Former "Shakhtar" captain Taras Stepanenko reacted to the coach's death by posting a photo from 2010, when Taras joined the "miners".

"Thank you for everything, Mister. Rest in peace," Stepanenko wrote.

Mister, my most important Mister in life, the most important and main coach in my career, the dearest mentor, a Great Man, You are a part of my family, Mister. I am grateful to you for my football fairy tale, and for having the opportunity to play under the best coach in the world. For believing in me when it was most important. For every chance, for every conversation, for every lesson - not only in football, but also in life. You are in my heart forever. Mircea Lucescu, I will miss you.

Mircea Lucescu has passed away. Very sad news. For me, he was a person who gave a lot - both as a footballer and as a person. It was with him that I spent the best years of my career at "Shakhtar", won trophies, and felt what it was like to be part of a great team. He trusted, supported, and always demanded the maximum - and that's what made us stronger. Mister knew how to see more in players than others. He didn't just build a team - he created a family where everyone knew their role and responsibility. Sincere condolences to Mircea Lucescu's family and friends. For me, this is a great personal loss.

Former "Shakhtar" captains Andriy Pyatov and "Dynamo" Serhiy Sydorchuk also expressed their condolences.

"A man who changed Ukrainian football and forever entered its history. Thank you for everything, Mister. Sincere condolences to the family and friends," Sydorchuk wrote.

Former Brazilian players of "Shakhtar", including Fernandinho and Douglas Costa, also reacted to the death.

"Rest in peace," the players wrote on Instagram.