Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Saturday, November 29, 2025, 11:41 / Updated Saturday, November 29, 2025 11:45
The star Today, Bucharest plays the first match at Ghencea since the death of the legendary coach Emeric Ienei. In tribute to the coach who won the European Champions Cup with The star in 1986, Peluza Sud prepared an emotional moment.
A scenography depicting Ienei accompanied by the famous message of the former coach “I know the Star by heart, because it is my life” represented the moment prepared by the star fans.
PHOTO. Stella fans, special moment in Iena's memory
Before the duel against the Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț team in the #15 stage of League 2, the star fans prepared a special moment. Being the first game played at Ghencea since the death of the great coach, Peluza Sud marked this moment with an impressive scenography. An image of Ienei wearing a Steaua badge on his chest accompanied by the message “I know Steaua by heart, because it is my life” emerged from the Steaua Stadium lawn.
The legendary coach passed away on November 5, at the age of 88. He led Steaua to the greatest performance in the history of Romanian football: winning the European Champions Cup in 1986, after winning the final on penalty kicks against Barcelona.
His death marked the fans of Stella who even went to Oradea for his funeral. Dozens of torches burned as the casket was carried amid cheering and chanting of the coach's name.
Emeric Ienei, buried at the “Rulikowski” Cemetery // photo: GSP.ro
10 key figures from Emeric Ienei's coaching career:
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386 matches in the first division with Steaua, FC Bihor, CS Târgovişte and U Craiova. Record: 218 wins, 79 draws, 89 losses
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6 championship titles, all 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
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4 Romanian Cups: 1975/76, 1984/85, 1991/92, 1998/99
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European Champions Cup 1985/86
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51 matches for the Romanian national team: 23 wins, 14 draws, 14 failures
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He qualified Romania for the WC 1990, after a break of 20 years
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He was Romania's coach at EC 2000, and his first victory in a final continental tournament, 3-2 with England, is also associated with his name
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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)
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He led Steaua in 31 European games. Record: 13 wins, 8 draws, 10 losses. The final with FC Barcelona was the 13th match
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He is the technician with the most Steaua – Dinamo derbies, 23 (19 in the championship and 4 in the Cup)
