Ilie Dumitrescu, co-opted by Răzvan Burleanu in the Federation at the beginning of this year, where he will coordinate three new projects of the FRF, has already entered his new role and completes the delegation currently in Turkey. It is the first European trip of “Mister” as a federal, even in the period in which former “comrades” from the Golden Generation came to Istanbul on their own.
- Turkey – Romania will be played on March 26, from 19:00, match broadcast by Prima TV. If we win, we play the World Cup qualification final against Slovakia/Kosovo on March 31, 2026.
- Gazeta Sporturilor has 6 experienced reporters in Istanbul, who deliver the most important information, the best reports and a series of multimedia correspondence
The Burleanu administration gave a real blow to its image at the beginning of the year, enlisting Ilie Dumitrescu in the Federation, a huge name in Romanian football, opinion maker on TV and at the same time one of the most appreciated TV analysts of the sports studios.
Everything, in the context in which the legendary footballer from the '80s-'90s was aiming for an official return to the phenomenon, he was active for the last time at FCSB, in 2010, as a coach.
“Mystery” Ilie Dumitrescu, federal with proper documents
Two months later, Dumitrescu received his new job description and he is present with the national team in the “zero degree” trip from Istanbul, for the “dam” Turkey – Romania.
On Wednesday, before the game, Ilie Dumitrescu flew to Istanbul with the charter that transported the “tricolors” to Turkey. Together with Miodrag Belodedici, he accompanied the team to the hotel, and in the evening he also appeared at the official training, held at Beşiktaş's stadium.
Dressed elegantly, in a beige coat, Dumitrescu supervised from the podium the training session of Mircea Lucescu's students, alongside the group that also included Răzvan Burleanu's loyal men, the secretaries Gabriel Bodescu and Radu Vișan.
Dumitrescu, 57 years old, watched the footballers with a concerned face, making various observations in the dialogues held with Gabriel Bodescu, Lucian Burchel, the head of the Coaching School, and Miodrag Belodedici.
A few seats away was also Răzvan Burleanu, newly re-elected head of the forum that he has led since 2014.
Involved in three projects from the FRF portfolio
FRF announced in mid-January that the former footballer from the “Golden Generation” would be involved, through his new function, in three projects carried out by FRF.
👉🏻The first post is that of manager in the future department that Burleanu plans to establish, entitled “Professional Club Services”, a branch through which the Federation “aims to consolidate a unitary framework for the development of young players so that their transition to performance football is as coherent and successful as possible”.
👉🏻The second role: to become the ambassador of the Europa League final which Bucharest hopes to host in 2008 or 2029.
👉🏻Finally, the third role intended for “Mister” is that of supervisor of the “Professional Coaching Summit” project, which is to debut in the fall of this year. It is, more precisely, about an annual event in which important coaches from Europe will be invited to Bucharest to give lectures to local technicians with PRO and A Licenses from Romania.
Ilie Dumitrescu and Răzvan Burleanu/ photo: FRF
What Ilie Dumitrescu declared at the time of installation at FRF: “Honored and happy, I am 100% involved in the initiatives aimed at the development of Romanian football”
Here is the speech of Ilie Dumitrescu when he was presented by the Federation:
“I am honored and happy to be part of the projects of the Romanian Football Federation and I am 100% involved in all initiatives aimed at the development of Romanian football. I strongly believe that the success of these projects depends on unity, team spirit, communication and hard work.
At the initiative of the FRF and the National Football Academy, I accepted this new role with responsibility. The transition of players from juniors to club teams and national teams is an essential component, and to succeed requires the involvement and support of clubs so that as many valuable players as possible reach the national teams.
The objectives are common: for the players to take the step towards the first representative team, to be prepared for high performance and to generate sporting and financial benefits for the clubs. I am also happy to be involved in the FRF Professional Coaching Summit project, an important initiative for the development of Romanian coaches.
The experience of top coaches can add real value to coaches with UEFA PRO and A licenses and directly contribute to increased performance. I am extremely motivated to contribute actively to these projects and to the development of Romanian football“.
Separated from the Golden Generation
Co-opted within the Federation and having to respect the new obligations, Ilie Dumitrescu could not be part of the Golden Generation delegation present in Istanbul. Several members of the great team of 30 years ago, led by Hagi, Gică Popescu and Răducioiu, will be present at the match Turkey – Romania, but in a private setting, separate from the FRF.
