Article by Cezar Titor – Published Friday, 02 January 2026 22:34 / Updated Friday, 02 January 2026 22:34
Andrei Mărgăritescu remembers for GSP.ro his debut at Rapid under the command of Mircea Lucescu as a decisive formative experience.
He confesses that “Il Luce” was more of a parent than a coach for the youngsters in the locker room, knowing how to protect them, make them responsible and give them confidence in a team full of established leaders. After a red card received in a derby with FCSB, the current selector of the first representative encouraged him and, instead of punishing him, offered him the captain's armband, a gesture that marked him deeply.
About the advice received from the former technician from Shakhtior, Inter or Brescia, but also about how he related to younger players, in the lines below:
VIDEO. Andrei Mărgăritescu: “Mircea Lucescu was like a father to the young”
– You debuted at Rapid under the command of Mircea Lucescu. How was the contact with “Il Luce”? You made your debut, got “red” in a derby with Steaua, then he gave you the captain's armband. Did he often make such gestures, to make you responsible?
– Nea Mircea… and now, when I see him with the national team, I relive the moments in the dressing room. He was like a father to the young, that's the right word. As big as he was, that's how he behaved. And what a team Rapid had then! Lupu, Sabău, Rednic, Pancu, Lobonț, Bundea… We, the young people, were overwhelmed. Nae Stanciu, the captain, was an example.
– How did Lucescu manage this situation?
– He knew how to integrate us and protect us. He spoke to us like a parent. He always told us not to play for money, to play for enthusiasm. Being young and in Bucharest, he told us to form relationships, to get married early, otherwise we ruin everything we build. He encouraged us to go to college. I was enrolled in Physical Education and Sports and he said to me: “Andrei, every time you have an exam, you go and call me to tell me what you did.” For me, a young man, to have Lucescu speak to me like a parent was an immense energy. When I took “red” with Steaua, I felt guilty. They had tied, I thought it was my fault. He came to me, encouraged me. He told me that the second “yellow” was not deserved, that I played very well. He gave me confidence. When I thought it was over, he picked me up. He gave me wings when he made me captain in the next match.
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Rapid – Steaua 2-2 (05.03.2000, Giulesti) / Rapid goals: Schumacher (6), N. Constantin (21) / Steaua goals: Carabaș (31), Trică (79), is the match that Mărgăritescu is referring to.
– Would you say that he is also a good psychologist, not just a good coach?
– 100%! That's the first thing I can say. As he says now, he needs “intelligence” in the team. It challenged us not to be afraid, not to feel the pressure. He taught us that.
– Have you followed the scandals surrounding nea Mircea? Do you think it's part of his strategy to motivate his players?
– The press follows him a lot, and he tries to explain a lot, but not everyone understands and disagreements arise. We have to go by the selector's principles.
