“That's what he wanted from us”

The former central defender spoke about the fact that he considers Mircea Lucescu the best Romanian coach, about the things he learned from him, but also about his debut in Dinamo's shirt

Bogdan Bucur: “Among all the coaches I had, Lucescu was number 1”

Bogdan Bucur was trained by 3 of the greatest coaches in the history of Romania, Emeric Ienei, Anghel Iordănescu and Mircea Lucescu, the last being considered by him to be the best.

“Of all the coaches I had, Lucescu was number 1 by faras a way of training, as a way of thinking about things, through the results obtained over time at the different clubs where he trained. This is what he always wanted. To have players to create a personality, a style of play and with whom they can have results.

Besides, he had eyes. He didn't keep players in the extended squad that he didn't see the possibility of progressing. He realized, very well, what kind of player he is and what prospects he has”, said Bogdan Bucur, according to brasovtoday.ro.

The former defender from Dinamo also spoke about his debut for the band from Ștefan cel Mare, at the age of only 16.

“I was about 14 and a half, 15 years old. Nea Mircea had come from Corvinul. It was exactly when the change of generations was taking place. Lucescu was a coach who wanted youth, because the generation of Orac, Augustin and the others was coming to an end. He tried, little by little, to bring us into the big team as a whole, to be able to train us as footballers.

I made my debut in Division “A” at 16 years old. It was September or October 1986, in a game with Oțelul Galati, against Dinamo, a 2-0 victory. I entered right back, in the 70th minute. Being my debut, Lucescu said to protect me and that's why he put me in to play right back”, he added.

Bogdan Bucur also spoke about the way in which Mircea Lucescu dealt with the education of his students, not just the sports part.

“He wanted footballers to be more than just footballers. He wanted them to have an education, a general culture, and after finishing football to be able to do something in life. He took us to the theater, when we played abroad we visited museums. From what I understand, he was a bitter kid who played football, went to college, realized what it means to have school, to have education. It was different, not just football”, he concluded, according to the aforementioned source.

What is Bogdan Bucur doing now?

In an interview given at the end of 2025 for GSP.ro, Bogdan Bucur spoke about the fact that he “disappeared” from the foreground of Romanian football, being involved in other businesses.

I moved to Brașov 16 years ago and I feel very good here. I'm glad we came to the tournament and let's remember how football used to be. I, in Brașov, have real estate and tourism businesses. Everything is OK! It was not my principle to stay in football, because I am not made to be in football, I preferred to do something else.

– Bogdan Bucur, for GSP.ro

Bogdan Bucur / photo: GSP.ro

CV Bogdan Bucur

• Date of birth: 21.04.1970, Bucharest

• Position: central defender

• He played at Dinamo ('86-'89, '91), Inter Sibiu ('89-'90), Steaua ('91-'97), Farul ('97), Wuppertal (Germany, L2, '97-'98), Bnei Yehuda (Israel, '98-'00)

• Matches/goals L1: 172/3

• European cup matches/goals: 26/0

• Achievements: 5 national titles, Romanian Cup, Romanian Supercup – all with Steaua