Gheorghe Hagi, Romania's legendary former player, has been named national team coach for a second time, replacing Mircea Lucescu, who died two weeks ago. The 61-year-old, hailed as Romania's greatest ever player, led the team to the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals and played for Barcelona and Real Madrid. His first coaching stint in 2001 lasted just three months after failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Hagi's return comes after Lucescu's death on April 7 at age 80. Romania, ranked 56th globally, missed the 2026 World Cup and was eliminated by Türkiye in UEFA playoffs. The federation aims to rebuild under Hagi, who signed a contract through the 2030 World Cup with a mandate to elevate the team to elite status. His first games will be friendlies against Georgia and Wales in June, followed by Nations League matches against Sweden, Bosnia, and Poland starting September.

The move marks a homecoming for Hagi, who coached Romanian clubs like Galatasaray and Steaua Bucharest. Federation president Răzvan Burleanu emphasized repeated efforts to secure Hagi's return, calling it a pivotal moment for Romanian football.

Hagi stated, "I am convinced we can achieve beautiful things," echoing his playing legacy. Romania's last World Cup appearance was in 1998, though they reached the 2024 European Championship round of 16. Critics question whether Hagi's brief 2001 tenure and club success translate to international management success, but his appointment signals hope for sustained competitiveness.