“A man of rare intelligence”

The tribute was completed by the president Aleksander Ceferin, who spoke about the qualities that defined Mircea Lucescu, beyond sports performances.

UEFA's message after the disappearance of Mircea Lucescu: “We are deeply saddened”

“We are deeply saddened to learn that the great Mircea Lucescu passed away at the age of 80.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin paid tribute to “one of the most genuine people in football – a man of rare footballing intelligence, remarkable dignity and extraordinary passion”.“, the continental forum transmitted.

Mircea Lucescu had an impressive career, both as a player and as a coach, being one of the few Romanians who managed to establish themselves at a high level in European football.

Mircea Lucescu, unparalleled career in football

• Mircea Lucescu took his first steps in football at Dinamo Bucharest, the team with which he has spent most of his career. He also performed at Știința Bucharest and Corvinul Hunedoara.

• As a player, he won 6 championship titles and a Romanian Cup, all with Dinamo.

• Throughout his coaching career, he trained Corvinul, the Romanian national team, Dinamo, Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana, Rapid, Inter, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Shakhtior, Zenit, the Turkish national team and Dinamo Kiev.

• He won 36 trophies in his career as a technician: 9 times the championship of Ukraine, 8 times the Ukrainian Cup, 7 times the Ukrainian Supercup, 3 times the Romanian Cup, 2 times the Romanian championship, 2 times the Turkish championship, as well as the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup, the Russian Super Cup and the Anglo-Italian Cup.