Article by Mihai Șovei – Published on Wednesday, 05 November 2025, 13:15 / Updated on Wednesday, 05 November 2025 13:19
Chronologically, FC Bihor was the first club to post on Facebook.
Then Steaua București and Asociația Stelistilor 1947 reacted to the news on social networks. Including Dinamo and Rapid, Stela's great rivals, published tributes to the death of the legendary Romanian coach.
UPDATE. 13:10: FCSB also reacted after the death of Emeric Ienei
FCSB also reacted later, with a terse message, in which it did not link its name to the former great coach.
“Our club expresses its regret for the loss of the great Emeric Iena, the coach who brought the European Champions Cup to Bucharest. May God rest him in peace!”, the champion wrote on Facebook.
Steaua Bucharest press release: “Smooth road, nea Imi”
The Ghencea club honored Emerich Jenei, calling him “the man who made our Star shine above the whole of Europe, the whole world”
DEATH
Smooth ride, my dear!
Emerich Jenei, the legendary coach of Stella, passed away today at the age of 88. We are talking about the most valuable Romanian coach of all time. The man who made our Star shine above all Europe, all the world.
As a football player of Stella (1957-1969) he won the championship three times and the Romanian Cup four times. Then, he moved to the second technical bench, and main since 1975. In 1986, he won, with Steaua, the European Champions Cup, putting the Romanian champion on the map of the world's great clubs. As a coach with Steaua, he also won six championship titles and four Romanian Cups.
Between 1986 and 1990 he was the coach of the Romanian national football team, with which he participated in the World Cup in Italy.
Grinded by health problems, leg pain and an increasingly weak heart, sometimes getting lost among memories, he lived discreetly and quietly in recent years, in Oradea, the city he loved so much. He was married to former fencer Ileana Gyulai-Jenei (1946 – 2021).
Jenei dedicated his whole life to the sport of the round ball. “I almost always had formidable footballers at my disposal. And, maybe, I also had some flair, some inspiration… Have you seen great coaches with weak players? Especially at Steaua and the national team, I worked with quality people. Both on the pitch and off it. Without these extraordinary people, I would probably have remained anonymous!”, said nea Imi. A football lord.
He went to train there, in another world. We will not forget him and honor his memory as befits. Smooth ride, my dear! God rest him in peace!
– Steaua Bucharest press release
The coach who brought the European Champions Cup to Bucharest in 1986, was not forgotten by the supporters of the Steaua team.
“Today, Steaua Bucharest and the entire world of football are losing a symbol of elegance, value and dignity: Emerich Ienei, the man who wrote the most beautiful page in the history of Romanian football. The coach who took us to the heights of Europe, the one who made football an art and the team a family, died at the age of 88, in Oradea, discreetly, as he lived his whole life.
Under his leadership, Steaua Bucharest won the European Champions Cup on May 7, 1986, in Seville. He was the first and only Romanian coach to bring home the continent's supreme trophy.
He was also Romania's selector, leading the national team to the final tournaments in Italy '90 and Euro 2000. But, above numbers and trophies, Emerich Ienei was a gentleman, a model of modesty, balance and character. For entire generations of players and supporters, Nea Imi remained, the man who did not raise his voice, but whom everyone listened to. Thank you, Nea Imi. For everything you've meant for Steaua, for Romania and for all of us. Heroes don't die, they just change the field they play on,” the AS47 press release states.
FC Bihor, the first club to react to the death of the legendary coach
FC Bihor, the club where Ienei coached between 1978–1979, was the first to react to the death of the great coach.
IN MEMORY OF EMERIC IENE (1937 – 2025)
Romanian and Bihor football is in mourning. The great Emeric Ienei, a true sports legend, has passed away at the age of 88.
Born in Arad, but settled in Oradea for many years, Emeric Ienei had a special connection with our city and Bihor football. In the period 1978–1979, he coached FC Bihor Oradea, leaving behind professionalism, elegance and respect.
The greatest performance in the history of Romanian football is also linked to his name – winning the European Champions Cup in 1986 with Steaua Bucharest, a moment that made the entire country proud.
With his character, calmness and wisdom, Emeric Ienei inspired entire generations of players and coaches. It remains an example of dignity and value, a symbol of Romanian football.
The FC Bihor Oradea club sends its sincere condolences to the bereaved family and to all those who loved him.
God rest him in peace!
– FC Bihor press release
Dinamo Bucharest: “The respect and elegance with which football was served will always remain an example for all generations”
Dinamo Bucharest, Stella's great rival, did not forget the legendary coach.
It was with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of the one who was Emeric Ienai. In this way, Dinamo Bucharest club sends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
The respect and elegance with which he served football will always remain an example for all generations.
Rest in peace!
– Dinamo Bucharest press release
Rapid Bucharest: “A landmark of Romanian football and a model of professionalism, balance and dignity”
Not even Stella's other rival, Rapid Bucharest, has forgotten the former coach from Ghencea.
FC Rapid expresses its deep regret upon learning the news of the passing of Emeric Ienei, a landmark of Romanian football and a model of professionalism, balance and dignity.
We send our sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and all those who cherished and admired him.
God rest him in peace.
– Rapid Communication Bucharest
