Renowned football manager Mircea Lucescu has been placed in an induced coma following a heart attack, with his condition reportedly deteriorating. The 80-year-old’s health crisis prompted his son to leave a significant derby match to be at his father’s side.

Lucescu, who recently stepped down as Romania’s national team coach, has been struggling with severe arrhythmias—dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. This health issue has now escalated into a life-threatening situation.

Reports indicate that Lucescu suffered the heart attack on Friday morning, occurring less than a week after he resigned from his role with the Romanian team. His resignation followed an incident where he collapsed during a team meeting.

In response to this medical emergency, Lucescu’s family, including his wife Neli and granddaughter Marilu, have gathered at the hospital. His son, Razvan Lucescu, who manages the Greek football club PAOK, hurriedly left his team in the midst of a crucial game against Panathinaikos to be with his father.

Mihai Stoichita, the technical director of the Romania national team, also paid a visit to the hospital. Stoichita noted that he was unable to communicate with Lucescu during his brief visit.

Mircea Lucescu is in a coma and has reportedly been given just days to live after a heart attack

The 80-year-old was Romania manager up until a matter of days ago and left his post after collapsing during a team meeting

“I can’t provide any updates as I haven’t spoken to anyone,” Stoichita stated. “I sat with him for about five minutes, but he didn’t respond. It’s understandable under the circumstances. Let’s hope for the best, God willing.”

‘He can’t talk. He’s probably in an induced state to help, I know. I don’t know how to tell him I don’t understand. I just sat there and looked at him, that’s all. I can’t give any statement, because I’d probably say something stupid. He must have days, that’s important, nothing else.

‘Whoever it was, it hurts you, especially when you had a relationship with him. We were both adversaries and friends at the same time. I can’t be either optimistic or pessimistic, because I’m not a doctor. I didn’t say anything to him, I just touched him.

‘Of course he is connected to the machines, he has extraordinary care, it is clear that someone is always checking. I have not spoken to any doctor. May God grant that he will be well, that he will live, that he will continue to be with us. Hope dies last.’

There were initially high hopes for Lucescu’s recovery. He had undergone heart surgery and had a fifth stent fitted, which is used to help keep arteries open and increase blood flow.

He was said to have been sitting up and talking, but his condition has deteriorated over the last few hours.

Mircea Lucescu, who had a long playing career that saw him feature 64 times for Romania, started coaching in 1979 upon his retirement and first managed his country in 1981 until 1986.

After that, he had stints as boss of the likes of Inter Milan, Galatasaray and Besiktas, enjoying time as a Champions League boss.

His son, Razvan Lucescu, has left his side PAOK ahead of a derby clash to be with his father

The duo have both had long careers in football management, both coaching the Romania team

More recent jobs have seen him lead Turkey between 2017 and 2019 and Dynamo Kyiv from 2020 to 2023, while he rejoined Romania in 2024.

His son, Razvan, 57, also coached Romania between 2009 and 2011. Having also worked for the likes of Al Hilal, he took over at PAOK for the second time in 2021, but has had to leave his side without their head coach before their Greek play-off game against Panathinaikos.

The game will kick off at 5pm BST on Sunday.