Hagi takes over the position left vacant after the death of Mircea Lucescu, who passed away on April 7, at the age of 80, after leading the national team from 2024.
Gheorghe Hagi, on investments in Romanian football: “I have a message for the richest people”
The new selector sent a clear message to Romanian businessmen, asking for involvement in football.
“I have a message for the richest people in Romania: come to the clubs in Romania, because it happens everywhere in the world, it doesn't happen only in Romania. There are clubs that can perform and football needs money.
If we want to perform, the first thing is to invest in very strong clubs, to grow and make their share, to be worth much more. I believe it can be done and my advice is for people who have money to come, because in football you have to invest.
Don't forget how much Turkey is investing, but that is not being talked about. How much does Turkey invest per year to have a championship in which they sell players… Everything is related to the market share, it's business. Business people have to come and take the clubs and automatically fight which one is better.
There are a lot of people in Romania who have a lot of money, and if we invest well in young people and children, Romania can live without problems for 100 years.”
Gică Hagi: “Quiet and peace, too much”
Finally, the “King” criticized the lack of involvement in Romanian football.
“We have to have rich patrons, teams that qualify in competitions, in groups, as it is all over the world. It is all over the world, only not in Romania.
Everything is sold in Romania, but not at football clubs, not in sports. Why? Everyone watches sports, why doesn't anyone tune in? Peace and quiet, too much!“
CV Gheorghe Hagi
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He played at: Farul (1982-1983), Sportul (1983-1987), Steaua (1987-1990), Real Madrid (1990-1992), Brescia (1992-1994), Barcelona (1994-1996), Galatasaray (1996-2001);
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He trained: Romanian national team (2001), Bursaspor (2003), Galatasaray (2004-2005 – a Turkish Cup), Poli Timisoara (2005-2006), Steaua (2007), Galatasaray (2010-2011). From 2014 to 2025, he coached Viitorul/Farul, with whom he won two titles, a Cup and a Romanian Supercup.
Matches/goals in the national team: 124-35
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Performance as a player:
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Champion of Romania with the Star (1987, 1988, 1989)
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Romanian Cup with Steaua (1987, 1989) Division A top scorer in 1985 and 1986 European Supercup with Steaua (1987) and Galatasaray (2001)
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Champion of Turkey with Galatasaray (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
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Turkish Cup with Galatasaray (1999, 2000, 2005- as coach)
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Turkish Super Cup with Galatasaray (1997)
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Spanish Super Cup (1990 with Real Madrid and 1994 with Barcelona)
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UEFA Cup with Galatasaray (2000)
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participated with the national team in three world championships (1990, 1994, 1998) and three European championships (1984, 1996, 2000)
