National team manager hospitalised following medical episode during training days after World Cup heartbreak

Romania national team manager Mircea Lucescu is ‘stable’ after he collapsed in the middle of training and was rushed to hospital.

In a statement provided by the Romanian Football Federation (FRF), Lucescu ‘felt sick’ during the team’s final session before flying out to Slovakia ahead of their friendly on Tuesday.

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Romanian Football Federation issues statement on Lucescu

“The first assistance measures were immediately taken by members of the national team’s medical staff, who provided him with first aid on the spot,” the statement read.

“Following the call to emergency services, two SMURD (Romanian emergency rescue services) crews urgently went to the training base.

“The prompt intervention of the medical personnel allowed the technician (Lucescu) to be quickly stabilised.”

The FRF has since confirmed Lucescu is ‘undergoing diagnostic investigations and therapeutic interventions necessary to stabilise his heart rhythm.’

As a result of the medical episode, Lucescu will remain in hospital and won’t be involved in Romania’s fixture against Slovakia.

Instead, Romania will be led by assistant coach and former Wolves striker Ionel Ganea.

Romania’s World Cup heartbreak

The frightening ordeal occurred just days after Romania’s hopes of qualifying for this year’s World Cup were dashed.

Lucescu’s side slipped to a 1-0 loss to Turkiye in their UEFA World Cup play-off semi-final.

Brighton star Ferdi Kadioglu’s second-half strike was all that separated the two sides as Turkiye booked a date against Path C rivals Kosovo for a spot at the World Cup on Tuesday.

The winner of the contest will go into Group D at the World Cup, where they will join tournament hosts United States, Paraguay and Australia.

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Lucescu’s worrying health issues

As for Lucescu, his latest medical episode meant he has now been in hospital four times since December.

Despite his worrying health conditions, the 80-year-old presented a determined figure during an interview with The Guardian prior to the Turkiye defeat.

“When the doctors told me I could go on coaching, I focused on what I had to do for Romania,” Lucescu said.

“I spoke to the federation and they told me they couldn’t find a solution to the situation.

“I’m not in my best shape so I would have stepped away if there was another option available.

“But I insist: I can’t leave like a coward. We must believe in our chance to qualify.”

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Romania’s defeat to Turkiye means the wait for their first World Cup berth since 1998 rumbled on.

The nation’s next chance of competing at an international tournament will be at Euro 2028, which is set to be jointly held by Great Britain and Ireland.