Article by Eduard Apostol – Published on Thursday, 01 January 2026, 19:11 / Updated on Thursday, 01 January 2026 19:12
The former Dynamo patron, Ionut Negoițănow one of the sponsors of the “dogs”, supports Gică Hagi for the first representative.
Romanians hope – or rather dream! – that they will be at the World Championship this summer on American soil. The national team has not reached such a final tournament since 1998! From the time of the Golden Generation, when it passed the group stage, and Gică Hagi's tricolors were eliminated by Croatia (0-1).
After qualifying for EURO 2024, the microbists are waiting for their second major tournament in a row, but the route is extremely difficult. On March 26, in Istanbul, Romania will face Turkey, then the winner will play, away, against the winner of the match Slovakia – Kosovo.
There are also opinions that the tricolors' chances of success at the BJK Stadium are minimal. This “group” also includes Ionuț Negoiță, 51 years old, the former patron of Dinamo, current sponsor of the “red dogs”.
Ionuț Negoiță about the future selector: “A younger one, with technology, with up-to-date information”
“There is always a chance, but very small. I think more could have been done in the qualification campaign, in the group. I didn't understand why this option was chosen, but in the end… (What option?) I'm looking… I would bet on young coaches, with technology, with more up-to-date information. I think someone else could be found, with all due respect to Mr. Lucescu.
I look at Barcelona, who have a relatively young coach (Hansi Flick), with a young team, who manage to do wonders. And I say it as a Real Madrid fan. The fact is settled as far as we are concerned, the chances of qualifying are small, unfortunately”, said Ionuț Negoiță for GSP.ro in an interview.
Romania was 3rd in the qualification group for the World Cup after Austria and Bosnia.
Ionuț Negoiță proposes Gică Hagi as a perfect replacement for Mircea Lucescu
“Who could succeed Mircea Lucescu as the head of the national team?”, the businessman was asked.
“It's complicated. There's a lack… We don't have qualified staff in football, starting from player training to League 1 coaches. But I think Gică Hagi could be a solution!
(He's not that young either…) But he's younger than others (laughs). He got a lot of experience, I think he can do the job. OK, it could be interpreted that he is also a club patron. After the experiences at Viitorul si Farul, they could try one more time”, commented Negoiță.
The matches of Hagi's first term at “national” (2001)
September 5: Hungary – Romania 0-2 (prel. WC 2002)
October 6: Romania – Georgia 1-1 (prel. WC 2002)
November 10: Slovenia – Romania 2-1 (WC 2002 tie)
November 14: Romania – Slovenia 1-1 (WC 2002 draw)
It takes more than talent, it takes personality. See what Cristi Chivu is doing at Inter's level! Bravo! I hope it continues like this. I wish there were others. The national team needs a reinvention, a reset
Ionut Negoiță
