Răzvan Lucescu, negotiations with Rapid, thinking about Genoa. Conditions for taking over the Giulesti

Even if he reconfirmed to Marius Șumudică, after eliminating the Rapid from the Romanian Cup (Thursday, 1-2 with Hermannstadt), the majority shareholder of Giulesti is looking for coach for the next season, with the thought of the fourth title in the showcase of the Vișiniu club.

Razvan Lucescu, seen as the saving solution for Rapid. Photo Facebook PAOK

Răzvan Lucescu remains the main target of the head of Rapid, being a technician who has proven to do a good job on any team that comes in his hand. And, as the “junior” managed to bring two of the four titles won in the 99 -year history of the PAOK club, Dan Șucu is convinced that he is the winning book for his team.

Rapid has a disappointing season, being in the last place in the Play-Chief of Superligii, and the easiest way to reach the European cups was wasted in the match in the Romanian Cup semifinals, with Hermannstadt. There are chances, but minimal, and the evolution of the team coached by Marius Șumudică does not offer real reasons for optimism. The current coach announced his resignation after the defeat in Sibiu, but returned to him after a discussion with the shareholders Dan Șucu and Victor Angelescu.

Șumudică remains until the end of the season

They told him that if they leave will have to pay 150,000 euros, as is the unilateral termination clause. And Șumi acknowledged frankly that he has no desire to sell an apartment to get rid of the fast. The club issued a support statement for Șumudică and accused the press of destabilization attempts, but the team financier works discreetly to prepare the next season.

Dan Șucu secretly negotiates with Răzvan Lucescu, and the latter does not say no, especially since taking over the Giulesti band is a great opportunity. Moreover, according to Iamsport.ro, the coach already communicated to the owner of the Rapid that he agrees, but with one condition: in the case of a successful mandate, to be supported to train in Serie A, in Genoa, a club owned by Dan Șucu. The clause cannot be placed in the contract, but it would rely on a “gentleman's agreement” between the two parties.

Hard to break away from PAOK

But the completion of the negotiations is not so easy, because Răzvan Lucescu is under contract with PAOK Thessaloniki for another two years and has a huge termination clause for a club in Romania: two million euros for a transfer to a team from Western Europe and four million euros for other destinations. “I just signed the extension in February (no – 2024). The clause is not seven million. It is two for Western Europe and four for the other countries. In the club history, PAOK has four titles, two won with me. I have lived a huge professional satisfaction here.said Răzvan Lucescu, for Digisport. The only “escape” is the owner of Igor Savvidis, who could let him go, after a rather disappointing season. PAOK is on the 3rd place in the 4th play-off in Greece, and in the Europa League it was eliminated prematurely, in the eighth, after two defeats with FCSB.

If he manages to come to Giulești, Răzvan Lucescu would reach the third term at Rapid. He also prepared the Vișinie group in 2004-2007, when he managed to reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup (season 2005/2006), and in the 2011/2012 season. Unlike his father, Mircea Lucescu, who brought the second title in the history of the team, in 1999, Răzvan won two Cups of Romania.

Cosmin Contra, another target of Rapid for future season

If the negotiations with Lucescu JR do not materialize, the majority shareholder Dan Șucu still has some big names. The last one is the one of Cosmin Contra, according to Golazo.ro, a contract free coach at this time. In the views of the majority shareholder of the cherries there are also Edi Iordănescu (free, but in negotiations with teams from the Arab area), and Daniel Pancu, the selective representative of Romania. For the moment, the Rapid's financier does not take into account the variant of a foreign coach, after “roasted” with North-Irish Neil Lennon earlier this season.