The former Romanian midfielder Gheorghe Hagiicon of european football and considered the best player in the history of his country, was named this Monday as the new coach of Romaniareplacing the recently deceased Mircea Lucescu.
Gheorghe Hagi begins his second stage with Romania
At 61 years old, Gheorghe Hagi He assumes command of the national team for the second time, after a brief experience in 2011 at the beginning of his coaching career. His return marks a key moment for the future of the romanian national team.
“After several attempts to have Mr. Hagi at our side, in charge of the national team, today we are happy to announce his confirmation as coach of the national team,” said the president of the Romanian Football Federation (FRF), Razvan Burleanu, at a press conference. The FRF leader was very confident “about the path” they are going to take “together”, with the “best players” in the country.
The arrival of Hagi to the bench is made after the death of Mircea Lucescua historical figure of Romanian football. The new coach did not hide the emotional burden of the moment.
“It is an honor and a great responsibility to represent Romania once again,” he declared. Gheorghe Hagiwho also remembered his time as a national team player.
Furthermore, he stressed his sporting ambition: “to achieve as many victories as possible” to restore the enthusiasm of the fans.
Hagi’s strategy: experience and ambition
The new coach made his philosophy clear for this stage at the head of the team. Romania national teamfocused on international competitiveness.
“I think it is fundamental for success – something I learned when I was young – to know how to select. The selection makes the difference, so the criteria must be that the players have international experience, both in higher and lower categories, and that they accumulate matches, because we compete with the best,” he said. “I hope to perform as well as I did as a know-how player; when I say perform, I mean qualify and win every game,” said Hagi.
“I don’t think it would be difficult to convince me; for me, the challenge is to make an entire country happy. We have to play brave football, attack and defend very well. Then we can talk about performance,” he added.
Schedule: friendlies and UEFA Nations League
The new cycle of Gheorghe Hagi It will begin in June with two friendly matches against Georgia and Wales, which will serve as preparation for the official challenges.
The official competition will start in September, when Romania start your participation in the UEFA Nations Leagueone of the main objectives of the new project.
The legend of the “Maradona of the Carpathians”
Nicknamed the “Maradona of the Carpathians”, Gheorghe Hagi left an indelible mark on the international soccer during the 1990s. His career included spells at elite clubs such as Staunch Madrid, Barcelona, Galatasaray, Brescia and Steaua Bucharest.
With the Romania national teamled the historic “golden generation”, played in three World Cups (1990, 1994 and 1998) and three Euro Cups (1994, 1996 and 2000).
In addition, he is the national team’s all-time top scorer with 35 goals and was recognized in 2003 as the best Romanian footballer of the last 50 years.
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