The footballer praised by Emeric Ienei in the last face-to-face dialogue for GSP: “That number 7”

I had the privilege of (re)meeting the legendary Emeric Ienei last year, at the beginning of June, during a stopover in Oradea on the way to Euro 2024.

And the desire to see him again after many, too many years, and the curiosity to absorb his words, because he always told me things with substance, with common sense, in a calm tone, without rancor, which can hardly be equaled in our stormy days.

The incomparable Emeric Ienei was on that clear June morning not only the man who had contributed to the most prestigious victory at club level in Romania, winning the CCE on June 7, 1986 with Steaua Bucharest. He was not only the conductor of some epic successes and some footballers with the allure of titans, but also the selector – the only one at that time, equaled later by Edward Iordănescu after 3-0 against Ukraine – who had ticked off a victory in a final tournament of the European Championship.

That 3-2 story with England, at Euro 2000, when we had passed the group stage. The first time in such a pose, equaled also in 2024, by the course of the tricolors of Iordănescu junior.

A few moments in the company of the great Emeric Iena: “Football is my life”

I (re)met Mrs. Imi Ienei in front of her house, on a quiet street near IC Brătianu park, a few hundred meters from the city center, considered by many to be the most spectacular in the country. An immaculate white house, a bell on which is written a famous name for our, everyone's football.

Supported by Mrs. Geta Lazăr, who took care of him in recent years until today when he confirmed the terrible news to me, Mr. Ienei came to the balcony for a short message. And then he hardly moved, his “trips” to the park and to the sun were limited… Anyway, the point is that an imposing man appeared before my eyes, but with a gentle face.

The years, the joys, the experiences, the troubles, the whole life were imprinted on his face, but he exuded a gentle air. Like a clear day.

“Chances are they will repeat the feat from then. Hope is and will be! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them Romanian footballers. Football is my life! I also watch the matches in Romania. what do you say Who do I like? Coman, number 7″, reacted Emeric Ienei.

He smiled, offered a sign of victory for a photo that will remain imprinted in time, a short personal dialogue followed, which hyperbolized his kindness, kindness, finesse. As always in your life, he gave, he did not receive.

There was another telephone conversation on March 22, 2025, when Imi turned 88 years old. “'TV rest with football,'” he confessed. He had just watched the match the night before, Romania – Bosnia (0-1), a duel that terribly confused the tricolors. Only football, the great passion of the legendary Emeric Iena!

10trophies he won as a coach with Steaua Bucharest: the European Champions Cup, six championships and three Romanian Cups

8teams he coached in his career: Steaua (in 6 terms!), FC Bihor, CS Târgoviște, Romania (in two terms), Hungary, Fehervar, Panionios and U Craiova

12he collected selections as a footballer, in the first representative team, in the period 1959-1964

7trophies he won with Steaua Bucharest as a footballer: three national titles and four Cups

10 facts that define the career of coach Emeric Iena

• 386 matches in the first division with Steaua, FC Bihor, CS Târgovişte and U Craiova. Record: 218 wins, 79 draws, 89 losses

• 6 championship titlesall with Steaua: 1975/'76, 1977/'78, 1984/'85, 1985/'86, 1986/'87, 1993/'94. In 1976 he stopped a streak of 8 years without a title, the longest in the history of the red-blues

• 3 Romanian Cups: 1975/'76, 1984/'85, 1998/'99

• CCE 1985/'86

• 51 matches for the Romanian national team: 23 wins, 14 draws, 14 failures

• He qualified Romania for the WC 1990, after a break of 20 years

• He was Romania's coach at CE 2000, his name being linked to the last victory in a final tournament, 3-2 with England

• Achieved the first qualification from the groups of a world tournament (CM 1990) and the first from the groups of a European tournament (EC 2000)

• He led Steaua in 31 European games. Record: 13 wins, 8 draws, 10 losses. The final with FC Barcelona was the 13th match

• He is the technician with the most Steaua – Dinamo derbies, 23 (19 in the championship and 4 in the Cup).