Mircea Lucescu

Mircea Lucescu (; born 29 July 1945, in Bucharest) is a Romanian former football player and current coach, and one of the most successful Romanian football managers. He is also the father of Rapid Bucharest coach, Răzvan Lucescu. He is currently managing Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk with whom he won the UEFA Cup 2008-09.

Managing career

Galatasaray

After coaching the Romanian national team, and a long career in Italy, he had a brilliant start with Galatasaray, winning the European Super Cup against Real Madrid. Under Lucescu's managership, Galatasaray qualified to quarter finals in the UEFA Champions League in the 2000–01 season for the first time. In the quarter finals they lost to Real Madrid. The same year, he lost the Turkish League title to rivals Fenerbahçe.

Next year, Galatasaray qualified to the second phase of the UEFA Champions League and won the Turkish League title under his managership. (2001–2002 season)

Beşiktaş

Lucescu was disappointed to be sacked despite winning the league champion title. In June 2002, he signed a contract with rivals Beşiktaş J.K.. It was a very important season for Beşiktaş since, in 2003, the reputable Turkish club was celebrating its 100th year since its foundation. They won the Turkish title, having only one loss and collecting 85 points – a record for the Turkcell Super League for the maximum points collected in a season.

The 2003–04 season started well for Lucescu and Beşiktaş. The team could not qualify...
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