“He regarded his own house as the whole world.” What he learned from Adrian Mutu

Cesare Prandelli, 68 years old, sent a heartfelt message in memory of Mircea Lucescu. One of the outstanding Italian coaches of the last decades has given an audio message via Gazeta Sporturilor in which he proves himself once again – and again, and again! – how huge Il Luce was. What impact has the Romanian had on the world map and how respected he is.

Cesare Prandelli on Mircea Lucescu: “He was my first coach when I took the courses at Coverciano. He considered his own home to be the whole world”

Cesare Prandelli did what Mircea Lucescu was unable to do. He left football aside and devoted himself to his family. In 2023, at 65 years old, the peninsular left football aside and uttered a famous phrase: “The next bench I will sit on will be in the park with my grandchildren.”

Probably, the coach with whom the capricious and talented Adrian Mutu got along best in his career, a former technician appreciated in Il Calcio and Squadra Azzurra, understood that family is above the king sport.

“I am very sorry for the loss of Mircea Lucescu. Basically, he was my first coach when I did the courses at Coverciano, where I followed him in the early 90s. He was already a very established technician, an innovative coach.

From a footballing point of view, he was way ahead of others. Then, through Adrian Mutu, I found out that also from the point of view of personal relationships, he was really skilled with the players, they all loved and respected him,” the Italian said.

Italy's coach, Cesare Prandelli, was in contact with Romanian Mircea Lucescu

During the final tournament of Euro 2012, where Italy led by him played the final against Spain (0-4), Prandelli kept in touch with Mircea Lucescu, at that time the coach of Shakhtior Donetsk. He recognized it himself.

“He was a professional, perhaps one of the first in the world to think of his own home as the whole world. He traveled everywhere and always left wonderful memories.

I used to talk to him a lot when I went to the European Championship in 2012; we kept in touch and we really had a nice relationship.

I am so sorry and send my condolences to the family. He will be greatly missed not only by the family but also by international football. Thank you”, said Cesare Prandelli.

A reputable coach in Il Calcio and Italy coach, 2nd place at Euro 2012

Cesare Prandelli is a famous former Italian football player and coach, known for his impressive career on the technical bench, especially with the Italian national team and clubs like Fiorentina or Parma.

• Coach at Fiorentina (2005-2010, 2020-2021): He achieved the best results at AC Fiorentina, being the coach under whom Adrian Mutu shone, during which the team fought for the Champions League places.

• Italy coach (2010-2014): Led the Italian national team to a runner-up finish at the 2012 European Championship.

• He began his coaching career at teams such as Lecce, Verona, Venezia and Parma before his successful spell at Florence. He also coached teams such as Valencia (Spain) and Al-Nasr (UAE).

• As a player he performed as a midfielder for teams such as Atalanta, Juventus and Cremonese.

A few more offers appeared, but I decided to enjoy life, even if the passion, a great passion, will remain. I feel really good like this and everything else doesn't matter anymore!
Cesare Prandelli, in March 2023, when he decided to give up his coaching career

Mircea Lucescu – the 3rd most titled coach in the world

• 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 7 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 35 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.