Article by Eduard Apostol – Published Sunday, April 12, 2026, 7:22 p.m. / Updated Sunday, April 12, 2026, 7:25 p.m.
Dominique Klein, the daughter of the late Michael Klein, sent through GSP.ro a heartfelt letter in memory of Mircea Lucescu, highlighting the human side of the renowned coach
The death of Mircea Lucescu (1945 – 2026) gave birth to various reactions not only in Romania, but also on the world map. People, regardless of sympathies, of the field of activity, cannot help but keep the memory of the prodigious technician alive.
Dominique Klein, settled for many years in Germany, the daughter of the late Michael Klein (1959 – 1993), one of the “children” of coach Mircea Lucescu, at Corvinul, at Dinamo, at the national team, wanted to convey a message from the soul to the one who guided her father's steps.
In a message sent to Gazeta Sporturilor, Dominique wanted to specify that it was meant to be “a tribute to the man Mircea Lucescu”.
4teams Mișa Klein has ticked off in her career: Corvinul Hunedoara, Aurul Brad, Dinamo Bucharest and Bayer Uerdingen
Dominique Klein, tribute to Mircea Lucescu: “An essential figure, a paternal one, from their story”
“I write these lines with pain in my heart and with a deep respect for who Mircea Lucescu was. His disappearance is a huge loss that surely induces countless people in a state of shock. We are with you, with all our hearts.
Sincere condolences to the family. Thoughts of comfort and consolation to them and to all those who are now mourning the loss of the one and only Mircea Lucescu. For me and my family, Mircea Lucescu was a defining presence in our lives.
He was my father's mentor. The man who made him the youngest captain at the age of 19 and kept him in this position for a decade, both at Corvinul and later at Dinamo Bucharest.
Their destinies were inseparable from that moment. They remained in close contact throughout my father's career. From Corvinul, to Romania's national team, to Dinamo, Mircea Lucescu marked his destiny in the most fundamental way possible.
Michael Klein was one of “Lucescu's children”. He had many “children” in many places of the world during his spectacular career. It becomes more and more obvious that all these “children” considered him an essential figure, a father figure, in their story.
He was a man who meant not only enormously in my father's professional destiny, but also in his personal life. He personally accompanied my mother to an emergency at the hospital, waiting for her as long as necessary, while my father was at the World Championship in Italy,” Dominique Klein began in her letter.
89of selections and 5 goals Klein had in the Romanian national team in the period 1981-1991
As Michael Klein spoke about Mircea Lucescu: “Pedagogy, professionalism, tact”
“Later, it had a strong impact on my life as well. When I decided to attend the Film Faculty in Munich, I received as a theme for the admission film Der Verein um die Ecke – “The club around the corner”. The first thing that came to my mind was my father's life during the time when he was the sole captain of the Corvinul Hunedoara team.
Corvinul Hunedoara, with Lucescu, Klein, Andone, Rednic and the others
So I began to search, to ask, to try to understand better what Michael Klein meant to his soul club. As a result, in the fall of 2014, we opened a Facebook page and invited the Hunedorian community to share stories from that heyday.
In this way, I was contacted by the sports columnist Nicolae Stanciu, who told me that he had written the manuscript of the book “Klein, Căpitanul lui Lucescu. Sentimental Chronicles”, which had remained in the drawer for twelve years before that moment.
Mişa Klein with his good friend, Mircea Rednic
So, I started a fundraiser to publish the book. The project was supported by several important names in Romanian football, including Mircea Lucescu. That's how I had the honor of getting in touch with him.
“Klein, Captain of Lucescu. Sentimental chronicles” was published on February 1, 2015. I still remember that it was snowing like in the stories on the day of the release, as if my father was sending greetings from heaven.
Now, when Mr. Lucescu has gone to his captain, I think it would be the right time for this book to be printed again. From Nicolae Stanciu's writings, I especially remember the way my father spoke about Mircea Lucescu, during the qualifying period for EURO '84: “Everything, as a result of the pedagogy, professionalism and tact of our coach, Mircea Lucescu…”.
In these words lies, I believe, the essence of their bond: professionalism. It seems to have been composed of a great deal of discipline, trust, presence of mind, tact, mutual admiration, and, above all, boundless respect,” continued Dominique Klein.
It is a great honor to know that Michael Klein was Mircea Lucescu's captain, that he grew up under his watch and guidance
Dominique Klein, daughter of Michael Klein
Personal memories with Mircea Lucescu: “Without hesitation, he offered me a scholarship to start my journey”. What message he received from Il Luce in July 2025
Dominique recalled personal moments that connect her with Mircea Lucescu.
“About the performance of being admitted to the Documentary Film class at the Film Faculty in Munich, together with only nine other young people, I proudly told Mr. Lucescu that same summer. Then I confessed to him that I did not know how I would manage to move to such an expensive city.
Without hesitation, he offered me a start-up scholarship. He did it discreetly and naturally, without turning the gesture into a public merit. His discretion and modesty made me respect him even more.
His belief in my potential gave me tremendous strength. That's how I imagined my father must have felt, buoyed by his encouragement. With the trust I received, I made the best film of the year in my first year of college, and that student film went to many important festivals, including Cannes.
From there in the port I sent a photo to Mr. Lucescu, because I felt that that success was also due to him and the trust he gave me when I myself was learning to believe in myself.
Last year, on his birthday, I wrote to him congratulating him and thanking him once again for his help. The last words he wrote to me were: “I also hug you affectionately and I'm glad that I could be of use to you. I have a warm memory and great respect for your father. He was sensational as a sportsman and as a man! Let's see each other well! Mircea Lucescu”
Unfortunately we never saw each other again, but I hope he and dad are now reunited in the afterlife. With infinite appreciation, Dominique Michaela Klein”, said the daughter of the late Mişa Klein.
