Gheorghe Hagi

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Gheorghe Hagi (Template:IPA; born 5 February 1965) is a Romanian professional football manager and former player, who is currently the owner of Liga I club Farul Constanța. Deployed as an attacking midfielder, Hagi was considered one of the best players in the world during the 1980s and '90s,<ref name="planetworldcup.com">Template:Cite web</ref> and is regarded by many as the greatest Romanian footballer of all time.<ref>"Famous Romanians: Gheorghe Hagi" Template:Webarchive. Romania Insider. 11 August 2010.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fans of Turkish club Galatasaray, with whom Hagi ended his career, called him Template:Lang ("[The] Commander"), while he was known as Template:Lang ("The King") to Romanian supporters.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/> Nicknamed "The Maradona of the Carpathians", he was a creative advanced playmaker renowned for his dribbling, technique, vision, passing and shooting.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="FIFA Profile">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/>

After starting his playing career in Romania, with FC Constanța, and subsequently featuring for Sportul Studențesc and Steaua București, he later also had spells in Spain with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Italy with Brescia, and Turkey, with Galatasaray. Hagi is one of the few footballers to have played for both Spanish rival clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona. Throughout his club career, he won numerous titles while playing in four different countries: he won three Romanian League titles, two Cupa României titles, and the European Super Cup with Steaua București – also reaching the final of the 1988–89 European Cup –, a Supercopa de España title with Real Madrid, the Anglo-Italian Cup with Brescia, another Supercopa de España title with Barcelona, and four Süper Lig titles, two Turkish Cups, two Turkish Super Cups, the UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup with Galatasaray.

At international level, Hagi played for the Romania national team in three FIFA World Cups, in 1990, 1994 (where he was named in the World Cup All-Star Team after helping his nation to the quarter-finals of the tournament) and 1998; as well as in three UEFA European Championships, in 1984, 1996 and 2000. He won a total of 124 caps for Romania between 1983 and 2000,Template:Efn making him the second-most capped Romanian player of all time, behind only Dorinel Munteanu; he is also the joint all-time leading goalscorer of the Romania national side (alongside Adrian Mutu) with 35 goals.

Hagi is considered a hero both in his homeland and in Turkey. He was named Romanian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, and is regarded as one of the best football players of his generation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=soccer>Template:Cite web</ref> Hagi was nominated six times for the Ballon d'Or, his best performance being a 4th place in 1994.<ref name=RSSF6>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, Hagi was selected as the Golden Player of Romania by the Romanian Football Federation as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, he was named by Pelé as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards Ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1999, he was ranked at number 25 in World Soccer MagazineTemplate:'s list of the 100 greatest players of the 20th century.<ref name=soccer/>

Following his retirement in 2001, Hagi pursued a managerial career, coaching the Romania national team, as well as clubs in both Romania and Turkey, namely Bursaspor, Galatasaray, Politehnica Timișoara, Steaua București, Viitorul Constanța and Farul Constanța. In 2009, he founded Romanian club Viitorul Constanța, which he has coached between 2014 and 2020. Hagi also established his namesake football academy, one of the largest in Southeastern Europe.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life

Hagi was born to Iancu and Chirata Hagi on 5 February 1965.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Hagi's grandfather was one of 40,000 ethnic Aromanians who fled Greece to Romania. His mother was born in Mesolakkia, Greece, and her original surname was Mega.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He set up home in the village of Săcele, near Constanța on the Black Sea coast. Hagi has fond memories of his grandfather who, like many Aromanians, was a shepherd. He stated: "I was proud when he, who was called Gheorghe like me, asked me to go and spend the whole day with him minding the sheep". He added: "I loved to eat cheese and tomatoes with him, and that is still my favorite food today."<ref name="icon">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also said "ambition is the main quality of the Aromanians".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Club career

FC Constanța

Template:Quote box Hagi began his career in 1978, playing for FC Constanța's youth teams under the guidance of coach Iosif Bükössy.<ref name=RS>Template:RomanianSoccer</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> The Romanian Football Federation selected him to join the Luceafărul București squad in 1980, where he remained for two years.<ref name=RS/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1982, he returned to FC Constanța, making his Divizia A debut on 11 September at age 17, being a starter under coach Emanoil Hașoti in a 3–0 away loss to SC Bacău.<ref name=RS/><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> On 6 November he scored his first goal when he defeated goalkeeper Vasile Iordache with a 35-meter shot, closing the score in the 2–2 draw against Steaua București.<ref name=ziua>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=ziua2>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=GSP>Template:Cite web</ref> In the Sportul newspaper, the chronicle of the match was signed by Stelian Trandafirescu, under the title "A junior (Hagi) stops the Bucharest team!" in which the journalist described the goal as follows:"Hagi scored sensationally (what an effective shot!), from distance".<ref name=ziua/><ref name=ziua2/> Until the end of the season he would score six more goals, including two doubles against CS Târgoviște and Politehnica Timișoara, but the team finished in last place, being relegated to Divizia B.<ref name=RS/><ref name=ziua/><ref name=GSP/>

Sportul Studențesc

Hagi was originally directed to Universitatea Craiova, but chose Sportul Studențesc of Bucharest instead where he would form a successful offensive partnership with Marcel Coraș.<ref name="icon"/><ref name=RS/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The highlights of his years with Sportul were becoming the top-scorer of the league for two consecutive seasons, in the first one with 20 goals scored, then in the second with 31, including six in a 7–5 win over Olt Scornicești in the last round.<ref name=RS/><ref name=topscorer>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> In both instances he had a hard competition with Steaua's Victor Pițurcă, and those 31 goals netted in the 1985–86 season, helped the team finish runner-up in the league.<ref name=RS/><ref name=topscorer/> During his time with The Students, Hagi started playing in European competitions, making 10 appearances with four goals scored in the UEFA Cup over the course of four seasons.<ref name=RS/> Most notably he played in a historical 1–0 victory against Inter Milan in the first round of the 1984–85 season, then in the same round in the following edition he scored a hat-trick in a 4–4 draw against Neuchâtel Xamax, but on both occasions the team did not qualify further, losing on the aggregate result.<ref name=RS/><ref>Template:Cite web
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Steaua București

In late 1986, Hagi transferred to Steaua București as the team prepared for the European Super Cup final against Dynamo Kyiv.<ref name="icon"/> The original contract was for a one-game loan only, the final.<ref name="icon"/> However, after winning the final, in which Hagi scored the only goal of the match from a free kick, Steaua did not want to release him back to Sportul Studențesc and retained him.<ref name="icon"/><ref name=GSP2>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> By the end of his first season he helped The Military Men win The Double, coach Anghel Iordănescu giving him 14 league appearances in which he scored 10 goals, and also appeared the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 victory in the Cupa României final over rivals Dinamo București.<ref name=RS/><ref name=RSC>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the next season, Hagi was used by Iordănescu in 31 league games in which he scored 25 goals that helped the club win another title.<ref name=RS/><ref name=RSC/> They also made another continental performance, reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup where they lost to Benfica, Hagi contributing with two doubles scored against MTK Budapest and Omonia Nicosia in the eight matches played, being the competition's top-scorer alongside six other players.<ref name=RS/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=RSC/><ref name="Champions Cup/Champions League Topscorers">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
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In the 1988–89 season, the team won another Double, Hagi managing to score 31 goals in the 30 league matches he was played by Iordănescu, and also scored the only goal in another 1–0 victory in the Cupa României final over Dinamo.<ref name=RS/><ref name=RSC/><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> He delivered another European performance by playing nine games in the European Cup campaign, including the entire match in the 4–0 loss to AC Milan in the final, scoring three goals against Spartak Prague, two against Spartak Moscow and one in the semi-finals against Galatasaray.<ref name=RS/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=RSC/><ref name=GSP3>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 1988 he netted five goals against Corvinul Hunedoara in a 11–0 win which is the biggest goal difference victory for Steaua in its first division history.<ref name=RS/><ref name=GSP4/> In addition to his goal scored in the Cupa României final, he also scored four league goals in the derby against Dinamo that helped his side earn one victory and two draws.<ref name=GSP4>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> On 6 May 1990, Hagi made his last appearance for Steaua, a Divizia A match in which he scored once in the 4–0 success over Corvinul Hunedoara, having a total of 222 matches with 141 goals in the competition.<ref name=GSP4/><ref name=labtof>Template:Cite web</ref>

His strong performances had him linked with Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan, fellow Serie A club Juventus, and German side Bayern Munich, but Nicolae Ceaușescu's communist government rejected any offer.<ref name="icon"/>

Real Madrid

After impressing in the 1990 World Cup, Hagi was signed on 27 June that same year by Spanish club Real Madrid who paid a sum estimated by the press in between $3.5 – 4.3 million to Steaua to acquire him.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name="LATimes-1994FWC">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=sport>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his La Liga debut on 1 September, being used the entire match by coach John Toshack in a 1–0 home win over Castellón which was the club's 1000th victory in the competition.<ref name=WF>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> On 21 September he netted his first goal by closing the score in a 3–1 away victory against Real Zaragoza.<ref name=WF/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During his first season, Toshack got replaced with Alfredo Di Stéfano and under his command he managed to win the Supercopa de España, playing in the final minutes of the 1–0 win in the first leg against rivals Barcelona, but didn't play in the second leg because of an injury.<ref name=GSP5>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=fanatik>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the following season under the guidance of Radomir Antić, Hagi scored more often.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=GSP5/><ref name="thesefootballtimes"/> Most notably he managed a hat-trick in a 5–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao and a double in another victory against Osasuna, one of the goals being scored with a folha seca from the center of the field.<ref name=GSP5/><ref name="thesefootballtimes"/><ref name="treccani"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2013, the Marca newspaper organized a poll for the most beautiful long-distance goal in Real Madrid's history and Hagi's folha seca against Osasuna came in first place.<ref>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> He also helped Los Blancos reach the 1991–92 UEFA Cup semi-finals, making 10 appearances in the campaign, scoring against FC Utrecht, Neuchâtel Xamax and in the lost semi-final to Torino.<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=GSP5/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With one round before the end of the season, Real was in first place, needing a victory against Tenerife to win the title, but after leading 2–0 at halftime with one goal netted by Hagi, they ended up losing 3–2 and Barcelona won the championship.<ref name=GSP5/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The team also lost the Copa del Rey final with 2–0 in a derby against Atlético Madrid in which coach Leo Beenhakker used Hagi as a starter.<ref name=GSP5/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Brescia

In 1992 he was transferred for 8 billion lira ($2.4 million) by Mircea Lucescu's "Brescia Romena", as around that period, his fellow Romanians Florin Răducioiu, Ioan Sabău, Dorin Mateuț and Dănuț Lupu also played for the club.<ref name=sport/><ref name="thesefootballtimes"/><ref name="via Serie B">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=fanatik2>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> He made his Serie A debut on 5 September 1992 in a 0–0 draw against Napoli in which he received a red card, one month later scoring his first goal in a 4–1 home win over Foggia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the end of his first season, the team was relegated to Serie B.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name="thesefootballtimes"/><ref name="via Serie B"/> After the relegation, Hagi was wanted by Napoli who needed a replacement for Diego Maradona but Brescia denied his transfer.<ref name=fanatik3>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
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In his second season with Brescia, he helped them win the Anglo-Italian Cup, defeating Notts County 1–0 in the final at Wembley and also contributed to their third-place finish in Serie B and subsequent promotion back to Serie A.<ref name="thesefootballtimes"/><ref name="via Serie B"/>

Barcelona

After performing memorably during the 1994 World Cup, Hagi returned to Spain, signed by Barcelona from Brescia for $3.2 million, and was coached by his childhood idol Johan Cruyff.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=sport/><ref name="thesefootballtimes"/><ref name=fanatik2/><ref>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> His first performance was winning the Supercopa de España against Real Zaragoza, where in the first leg, Hristo Stoichkov opened the score after a free kick executed by Hagi, which the goalkeeper defended.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name="Happy Birthday">Template:Cite web</ref> In the second leg, Hagi played the first 10 minutes, but was replaced after suffering an injury.<ref name=fanatik/><ref name="Happy Birthday"/> He made his league debut for Barça on 16 September 1994 in a goalless draw in the derby against Espanyol, then in the following round he netted a double in a 4–0 win over Compostela.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> In December 1994 he scored a goal from the center of the field in an away victory against Celta Vigo which in 2007 was nominated by the Mundo Deportivo newspaper for the most beautiful goal in Barcelona's history.<ref>Template:Cite web
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In the following season he was teammates with compatriot Gheorghe Popescu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hagi scored three goals in five matches in the 1995–96 UEFA Cup campaign against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Sevilla and in the lost semi-final to Bayern Munich.<ref name=GSP2/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Barcelona reached the 1996 Copa del Rey final where they lost 1–0 after extra time against Atlético Madrid in which Cruyff used Hagi the entire match.<ref name=WF2>Template:Cite web</ref>

Galatasaray

Template:Quote box In 1996, 31-year-old Hagi signed for Turkish club Galatasaray who paid $3.5 million to Barcelona for his transfer, during this spell reuniting with Popescu, and with Romanians Adrian Ilie and Iulian Filipescu also at the club.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=sport/><ref>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> He had been the subject of a competing transfer offer from São Paulo.<ref name=fanatik3/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He made his Turkish league debut on 9 August under coach Fatih Terim, scoring a brace in a 4–0 win over Vanspor.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> Although in the twilight of his career, at Galatasaray, he was extremely successful and became highly popular among the Turkish supporters.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=RS/> In his first four seasons, he domestically won four league titles, two Turkish Cups and two Turkish Super Cups.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=RS/> His highest success was when at age 35 he captained the club to win the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup, scoring two goals in the campaign against Borussia Dortmund and in the semi-finals against Leeds United.<ref name=RS/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=WF3>Template:Cite web</ref> In the final, they defeated Arsenal on penalties following a 0–0 draw, but during the match, Hagi was sent off in extra time for punching Arsenal captain Tony Adams.<ref name=RS/><ref name=GSP2/><ref name=WF3/><ref name="Galatasaray win historic UEFA Cup">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Consequently, Galatasaray became the first Turkish club to win a UEFA club competition title.<ref name="Galatasaray win historic UEFA Cup"/>

In June 2000, Romanian Mircea Lucescu replaced Fatih Terim at the Cim Bom Bom side, together winning the 2000 UEFA Super Cup, after a 2–1 victory against Real Madrid.<ref name=GSP2/><ref name=DIGI>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They also reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League during the 2000–01 season where in the first group stage, Hagi netted a goal with a spectacular long-distance shot in a win over AS Monaco.<ref name=DIGI/><ref name=sport2>Template:Cite web</ref> Subsequently, in the second group stage he scored his last goal in a European competition following a deep launch from Capone, then succeeding a lob over goalkeeper Dida in a 2–0 victory against AC Milan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the quarter-finals they earned a 3–2 victory in the first leg against Real Madrid, but lost with 3–0 in the second one.<ref name=DIGI/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014, UEFA placed his goal against Monaco in a top 60 all-time best goals scored in European club and national teams competitions, while in 2020, the journalists of France Football ranked it in 19th place of most beautiful goals scored in the Champions League.<ref name=sport/><ref name=sport2/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
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On 26 May 2001, Hagi played his last game as a professional footballer, managing to score a brace and provide an assist in Galatasaray's 4–0 win over Trabzonspor in the Turkish league.<ref name=golazo>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hagi drew praise from the Galatasaray supporters for his performances during his time with the club, who adopted the chant "I Love You Hagi" in his honour.<ref name=golazo/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

International career

Early years and Euro 1984

Hagi made his debut for Romania on 10 August 1983 at the age of 18, under coach Mircea Lucescu who used him the entire match in a 0–0 friendly draw against Norway, played at the Ullevaal stadium in Oslo.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=GSP6>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=EU>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After the game, the Sportul newspaper wrote:"Hagi is the main win of the match with Norway".<ref name=GSP6/>

He was selected by Lucescu to be part of the squad that went to Euro 1984, as the team needed a replacement for injured Ilie Balaci.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP7>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=adevarul>Template:Cite web</ref> In the first game which was a 1–1 draw against Spain, he came in the 76th minute to replace Romulus Gabor, then in the 2–1 loss to West Germany he was a starter, but replaced at half-time with Ion Zare.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP7/><ref name=adevarul/> In the 1–0 loss against Portugal he did not play, as Romania did not get past the group stage.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP7/><ref name=adevarul/> The 19-year-old Hagi's performance in the final tournament was criticized by Lucescu:"Țicleanu and Hagi failed to make a real contribution after entering. Hagi, especially, isolated himself on the wing, being unable to make up for the great absence of Balaci".<ref name=GSP7/>

He scored his first international goal against Northern Ireland in a 3–2 loss during the 1986 World Cup qualifiers.<ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/><ref name=GSP6/><ref name=EU/> In the second leg against the Northern Irish he was made captain for the first time, but the game ended with another loss.<ref name="icon"/><ref name=GSP6/><ref name=EU/>

1990 World Cup

He played six matches and scored once from a penalty in a 3–0 victory against Greece in the 1990 World Cup qualifiers.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the final tournament, coach Emeric Jenei could not use him in the first game, a victory against Soviet Union, as he was suspended due to a red card in the last qualifier match against Denmark.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He played in the following two which were a loss to Cameroon and a draw against Argentina as Romania got past the group stage, reaching the round of 16.<ref name=EU/> There, the journey ended in favor of Republic of Ireland at the penalty shoot-out following a 0–0 draw, with Hagi netting Romania's first spot kick.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

1994 World Cup

Hagi scored five goals in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, including a brace in a 5–1 home win over Wales.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP8>Template:Cite web</ref> In the last group game of the qualifiers, which was also against Wales, he opened the score, the first half ending 1–0.<ref name=GSP8/> Then Hagi, feeling that his teammates were too relaxed, asked coach Anghel Iordănescu to leave the dressing room and let him talk to them, and afterwards he started punching the closet and held a motivational speech.<ref name=GSP8/> The match finished with a 2–1 victory which earned Romania the mathematical qualification to the final tournament, and also this game is considered by Romanian journalists as the birth of Romania's "Golden Generation".<ref name=GSP8/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hagi captained The Tricolours in the final tournament.<ref name=EU/> In the first match against Colombia, he provided the assists for both of Florin Răducioiu's goals in the 3–1 win and defeated goalkeeper Óscar Córdoba with a spectacular 35-meter lob from the side of the field, with the ball not spinning in the air.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After getting past the group stage, they eliminated Argentina with a 3–2 score in which Hagi gave an assist to one of Ilie Dumitrescu's goals, then scored himself after Dumitrescu returned the favor.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the quarter-finals, Romania faced Sweden, the score was 2–2 after extra time, reaching the penalty shoot-out where Hagi netted his shot, but two of his teammates missed, while all the Swedes scored, thus the campaign ended.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hagi was named in the Team of the Tournament for his performances.<ref name="94WCAll-Star1"/> His goal against Columbia was listed in 2010 as one of the ten most beautiful goals scored in the World Cup by the Agence France-Presse news agency, and in 2014 Diario AS placed it in third place and L'Équipe in 16th.<ref>Template:Cite web
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Euro 1996

During the successful Euro 1996 qualifiers he played six matches and scored two goals in two victories against Slovakia.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the final tournament, Iordănescu used him for the entirety of all three games in the group stage, but Romania lost all of them to France, Bulgaria and Spain.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web
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1998 World Cup

In the 1998 World Cup qualifiers he made six appearances, scoring three goals against Iceland, one against Liechtenstein, and a spectacular one in Dublin with a 35-meter free kick shot in a 1–1 draw against the Republic of Ireland.<ref name=sport/><ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> Hagi was used as captain by Iordănescu in all four games during the final tournament, as in the group stage they earned victories in the first two rounds over Colombia and England, thus mathematically being qualified before the last group match against Tunisia.<ref name=EU/><ref name=wc1998>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> In order to celebrate, the players dyed their hair blonde and presented themselves like that at the game.<ref name=EU/><ref name=wc1998/> They were defeated with 1–0 by Croatia in the round of 16 after a goal scored from a penalty by Davor Šuker.<ref name=EU/><ref>Template:Cite web
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Euro 2000

After the World Cup 1998, Hagi retired from the national team.<ref name=GSP9>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=GSP10>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=AS>Template:Cite web</ref> Before a game against rivals Hungary in the Euro 2000 qualifiers, Hagi was invited by Adrian Păunescu to his "Meciul Meciurilor" (The Match of Matches) TV show.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> During the show, Păunescu and all his guests who were figures from Romanian football but also from politics tried over the course of about five hours to convince Hagi to come back to the national team, and also over 100 fans spontaneously came in front of the TV station's headquarters to cheer him even though it was past midnight.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> Seeing all of this happening, Hagi recalls saying to himself in those moments:"Who are you, for an entire country to beg for you?!"<ref name=GSP9/> He played in the 2–0 victory against the Hungarians, having a praised evolution by the press even though coach Victor Pițurcă used him only in the first half because he injured his shoulder.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> At the end of the game he was carried on the arms of his colleagues to tour the stadium, although his shoulder was immobilized in a splint.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> In these qualifiers he would go on to score his last two goals for the national team in a win over Slovakia and a draw against Portugal.<ref name=EU/>

During the final tournament, coach Emerich Jenei used him as a starter in the first two group stage matches, receiving a yellow card in each of them leading to his suspension for the decisive game against England.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP11>Template:Cite web</ref> Eventually, his teammates managed to win it without him and qualify to the quarter-finals.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP11/> There, they lost with 2–0 to eventual runners-up Italy in which Hagi received a red card in the 59th minute.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP11/><ref>Template:Cite web
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Retirement

Hagi retired from professional football in 2001 at the age of 36.<ref name=retirement>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> That year, he was given a send-off in a testimonial game on 24 April, called "Gala Hagi," featuring a team of Romanian All-Stars against a team of international All-Stars.<ref name=retirement/> At the time of his retirement, his 124 capsTemplate:Efn for his country were a national record, which has since been surpassed by Dorinel Munteanu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He currently still holds the record of most goals scored for Romania, alongside Adrian Mutu, with 35.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

For representing his country at six final tournaments, Hagi was decorated by President of Romania Traian Băsescu on 25 March 2008 with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" – (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class II.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> In 2013 he was Decorated at the Romanian Royal House with the "Nihil Sine Deo" medal by Margareta of Romania, Hagi saying at the event:"It's an important moment for me, I'm happy, I'm glad because all the sacrifices I've made in life were worth it, and right now I feel even more honored and responsible and I have more ambition to keep going, to keep working and giving my best for football, for children".<ref>Template:Cite web
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Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) included Hagi in its "Romania's all-time dream team" first XI.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> On 12 March 2025, Hagi was decorated by President Ilie Bolojan with the Order of the Star of Romania in the rank of Knight, the highest distinction of the Romanian state.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Managerial career

Romania

In 2001, Hagi was named the head coach of Romania, replacing Ladislau Bölöni, who left the squad to coach Sporting Lisbon.<ref name=IAM>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He led the team in the final matches of the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, the first match being a 2–0 away win over Hungary, followed by a 1–1 draw against Georgia.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=EU2>Template:Cite web</ref> Afterwards the team reached a play-off where they faced Slovenia, losing 2–1 in the first leg and drew 1–1 in the second where Hagi, by the end of the game, was using five forwards.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=EU2/><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Bursaspor

In July 2003, Hagi took over as coach of Turkish Süper Lig side Bursaspor, transferring Romanian players Ionel Ganea, Bogdan Vintilă, Iulian Miu and Cornel Frăsineanu to the club.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=DIGI2>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, his spell was unsuccessful, earning just two victories out of 12 games, leaving in November.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=DIGI2/>

Galatasaray

Hagi then became manager of Galatasaray in March 2004, replacing Fatih Terim, having fellow Romanian players Florin Bratu and Ovidiu Petre in the squad, finishing the season in sixth place.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=GSP12>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=sport3>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the following season, the team finished third in the league and won the Turkish Cup after a 5–1 victory in the final against fierce rivals Fenerbahçe, and he also promoted young Arda Turan to the first team.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=GSP12/><ref name=sport3/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Afterwards he was replaced with Eric Gerets.<ref name=GSP12/><ref name=sport3/>

Politehnica Timișoara

Hagi was hired by Politehnica Timișoara in November 2005, managing to win his first two matches, defeating Oțelul Galați 2–0 and Pandurii Târgu Jiu 1–0.<ref name=wesport>Template:Cite web</ref> During this spell, he gave the first league debut to Gabriel Torje.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=wesport/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, after a string of poor results and disagreements with the management, he left the club in May 2006 after a 2–0 loss to Oțelul.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=wesport/> His decision to coach Politehnica Timișoara did not go well with Farul's fans, who asked for the name to be changed, as Constanța's main stadium used to bear his name since 2000.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Steaua București

From June to September 2007, Hagi coached Steaua București, managing to get past Zagłębie Lubin and BATE Borisov in the Champions League qualifying rounds, reaching the group stage where they were defeated 2–1 by Slavia Prague in the first match.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=GSP13>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=GSP14>Template:Cite web</ref> After the defeat against Slavia he resigned due to a long series of conflicts with club owner Gigi Becali, who also happens to be his godson.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=GSP13/><ref name=GSP14/> The main reason for resigning was the owner's policy of imposing players, dictating the team's strategy and threatening him that he would be fired if he didn't comply.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=GSP14/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Return to Galatasaray

After Frank Rijkaard was sacked as coach, Hagi signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Galatasaray on 21 October 2010.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=GSP12/><ref name=sport3/> He brought to the team Bogdan Stancu, Emmanuel Culio and Róbinson Zapata from the Romanian league.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Under his guidance, the team's results did not improve, so by the end of March 2011 his contract was terminated after a series of poor results.<ref name=IAM/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Viitorul Constanța

In 2009, Hagi established a football academy in Constanța, which he named after himself, and also founded a senior football club, Viitorul Constanța, registering it in the third league and serving as its president.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=orange>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> In a few years the team managed to promote to the first league, then in 2014 he installed himself as head coach.<ref name=IAM/><ref name=orange/> On 5 December 2014, he gave the senior debut to his son, Ianis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He had a good season in the 2015–16 edition, finishing in fifth place and qualifying to the Europa League, and also was named Romania Coach of the Year in 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> In their first European match, Viitorul were defeated 5–0 by Gent at the Ghelamco Arena, and were eliminated from the Europa League third qualifying round round after a 0–0 draw in the second leg.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Viitorul won their first league title in the 2016–17 season after a 1–0 home victory over CFR Cluj in the last round, finishing on equal points with FCSB but on a better head-to-head record.<ref name=IAM/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As a result, Hagi won his second Romania Coach of the Year award.<ref name=IAM/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hagi would go on to win two more trophies with Viitorul, first the 2018–19 Cupa României after a 2–1 victory against Astra Giurgiu in the final and shortly afterwards the 2019 Supercupa României when they defeated CFR Cluj with 1–0.<ref name=IAM/><ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Farul Constanța

At a press conference from 21 June 2021, Hagi, together with club president Gheorghe Popescu and Farul Constanța's owner Ciprian Marica announced that Viitorul and Farul had merged into one team which would have the name of the latter and Hagi would be head coach.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Led by Hagi, Farul won their first league title in the 2022–23 season, earning the points that mathematically made them champions with one round before the end of the season, after a 3–2 win against FCSB, coming back from 0–2.<ref name=IAM/><ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite web</ref>

Style of play

A talented left-footed attacking midfielder, Hagi's playing style was frequently compared with Diego Maradona's throughout his career, due to his technical ability as well as his temperamental character and leadership;<ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="treccani">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="zonacesarini">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as a youth, he was mainly inspired by compatriots Anghel Iordănescu and Ion Dumitru.<ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/> A quick, agile, creative, and mobile advanced playmaker, Hagi was also tactically versatile, and capable of playing in several midfield and offensive positions on either wing or through the middle, due to his ability with both feet, despite being naturally left-footed, although he had a preference for using his stronger foot; his preferred position was in a free role as a classic number 10, but he was also used as a second striker on occasion.<ref name="planetworldcup.com"/><ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name="zonacesarini"/><ref name="legacy">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="rare No. 10">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hagi was renowned in particular for his first touch and speed on the ball, as well as his timing, interpretation of space, bursts of acceleration and dribbling skills, which enabled him to get past defenders; he was also highly regarded for his vision and precise passing,<ref name="planetworldcup.com"/><ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name="zonacesarini"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> although he was capable of both scoring and assisting goals, and was also an accurate finisher and set-piece taker, who had a penchant for scoring goals from powerful, bending long range strikes.<ref name="planetworldcup.com"/><ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/><ref name="zonacesarini"/><ref name="legacy"/><ref name="virtuoso">Template:Cite news</ref> Despite his small stature and slender build, Hagi possessed significant upper body strength, which, along with his control, aided him in protecting the ball from opponents, and allowed him to create space for himself or his teammates.<ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/><ref name="icon"/><ref name="LATimes-1994FWC"/><ref name="legacy"/> Despite his skill and his reputation as one of the greatest number 10s of his generation, his career was marked by inconsistency at times, and he was also considered to be a controversial player, due to his rebellious and arrogant attitude, as well as his low work-rate, aggression, unsportsmanlike behaviour, and lack of discipline, which led him to have several disagreements and confrontations with his managers, opponents, and officials.<ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/><ref name="icon"/><ref name="LATimes-1994FWC"/><ref name="thesefootballtimes">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="rare No. 10"/><ref name="Hagi's step too far">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Perfect 10">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Publications

On 5 February 2025, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, Hagi published his autobiography:<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Several books about Hagi were written by various authors:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Template:Lang (Romario's Samba and Hagi's Perinița) - written by George Mihalache (1994)
  • Template:Lang (With Hagi&Co from Rome to New York (via Cardiff)) - written by Gheorghe Nicolaescu (1994)
  • Template:Lang (Hagi, the magician) - written by George Șeitan (1995)
  • Template:Lang (Hagi, the master of miracles) - written by Gheorghe Nicolaescu (1998)
  • Template:Lang - written by Grigore Cartianu (2000 - first edition; 2000 - second edition; 2001 - third edition; 2014 - fourth edition)
  • Template:Lang (Hagi, unique in a century) - written by Gheorghe Nicolaescu (2000 - first edition; 2001 - second edition)
  • Template:Lang (At the crossroads of Hagi) - written by Mircea M. Ionescu (2005)
  • Template:Lang (The two Hagi) - written by Adrian Rachieru (2007)

Personal life

Hagi is married to Marilena Hagi and has two children with her.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His son, Ianis Hagi, is also a footballer.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref> His daughter, Kira Hagi, is an actress.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He is the brother-in-law of fellow Romanian international Gheorghe Popescu, who married Hagi's wife's sister.<ref>Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>

Hagi was chosen to dub in Romanian the character Dagda in the animated movie Epic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name=RS/><ref name=labtof/><ref>Template:WorldFootball.net
Template:NFT
Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web
Template:Cite web</ref>
Club Season League National cupTemplate:Efn Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Constanța 1982–83 Divizia A 18 7 0 0 18 7
Sportul Studențesc 1983–84 Divizia A 31 2 4 0 2<ref group=lower-alpha name="UEF">Appearances in UEFA Cup</ref> 0 33 2
1984–85 Divizia A 30 20 2 1 2<ref group=lower-alpha name="UEF"/> 0 32 20
1985–86 Divizia A 31 31 0 0 2<ref group=lower-alpha name="UEF"/> 3 33 34
1986–87 Divizia A 16 5 1 0 4<ref group=lower-alpha name="UEF"/> 1 20 6
Total 108 58 7 1 10 4 125 63
Steaua București 1986–87 Divizia A 14 10 4 1 1<ref group=lower-alpha name="ESC">Appearance in European Super Cup</ref> 1 15 11
1987–88 Divizia A 31 25 4 2 8<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHL">Appearances in UEFA Champions League</ref> 4 39 29
1988–89 Divizia A 30 31 3 1 9<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHL"/> 6 39 37
1989–90 Divizia A 22 10 0 0 3<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHL"/> 1 25 11
Total 97 76 11 4 21 12 129 92
Real Madrid 1990–91 La Liga 29 4 0 0 4<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHL"/> 0 1Template:Efn 0 34 4
1991–92 La Liga 35 12 5 1 10<ref group=lower-alpha name="UEF"/> 3 50 16
Total 64 16 5 1 14 3 1 0 84 20
Brescia 1992–93 Serie A 31 5 2 1 33 6
1993–94 Serie B 30 9 2 1 32 10
Total 61 14 4 2 65 16
Barcelona 1994–95 La Liga 17 4 2 1 2<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHL"/> 0 2Template:Efn 0 23 5
1995–96 La Liga 19 3 4 0 5<ref group=lower-alpha name="UEF"/> 3 28 6
Total 36 7 6 1 7 3 2 0 51 11
Galatasaray 1996–97 1.Lig 30 14 1 0 3<ref group=lower-alpha name="UCW">Appearances in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup</ref> 1 2Template:Efn 0 36 17
1997–98 1.Lig 30 8 6 0 6<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHL"/> 1 0 0 42 8
1998–99 1.Lig 28 14 4 1 8<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHL"/> 3 40 18
1999–2000 1.Lig 19 12 3 1 15<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHLUEF">Seven appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances with two goals in UEFA Cup</ref> 4 37 17
2000–01 1.Lig 25 11 1 0 11<ref group=lower-alpha name="CHLUSC">Ten appearances and two goals in the UEFA Champions League, one appearance in the UEFA Super Cup</ref> 2 37 13
Total 132 59 15 2 43 10 2 0 192 73
Career total 516 237 48 11 95 33 5 0 664 281

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="RSSSF-International">"Gheorghe Hagi – Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 July 2012.</ref><ref>Gheorghe HAGI Template:Webarchive. FRF. Retrieved 17 July 2012.</ref>
National team Year Apps Goals
Romania 1983 5 0
1984 9 1
1985 10 4
1986 8 3
1987 8 2
1988 4 2
1989 8 0
1990 11 2
1991 6 2
1992 5 4
1993 5 1
1994 11 5
1995 3 1
1996 8 1
1997 6 4
1998 7 1
1999 4 2
2000 6 0
Total 124Template:Efn 35
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hagi goal.<ref name=EU/>
List of international goals scored by Gheorghe Hagi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 12 September 1984 Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland Template:Fb 1–1 2–3 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 30 January 1985 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Template:Fb 3–2 3–2 Friendly
3 3 April 1985 Stadionul Central, Craiova, Romania Template:Fb 1–0 3–0 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 6 June 1985 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland Template:Fb 1–0 1–1 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 28 August 1985 Stadionul 1 Mai, Timișoara, Romania Template:Fb 1–0 2–0 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 23 April 1986 Stadionul 1 Mai, Timișoara, Romania Template:Fb 1–0 2–1 Friendly
7 20 August 1986 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway Template:Fb 2–0 2–2 Friendly
8 10 September 1986 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 4–0 4–1 UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying
9 11 March 1987 Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece Template:Fb 1–1 1–1 Friendly
10 25 March 1987 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 3–1 5–1 UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying
11 20 September 1988 Stadionul 1 Mai, Constanța, Romania Template:Fb 2–0 3–0 Friendly
12 2 November 1988 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 2–0 3–0 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 3 August 1990 Stadion Allmend, Lucerne, Switzerland Template:Fb 1–0 1–2 Friendly
14 25 April 1990 Kiryat Eliezer Stadium, Haifa, Israel Template:Fb 2–0 4–1 Friendly
15 27 March 1991 Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino Template:Fb 1–0 3–1 UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
16 16 October 1991 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
17 6 May 1992 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 2–0 7–0 FIFA World Cup 1994 qualification
18 20 May 1992 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 1–0 5–1 FIFA World Cup 1994 qualification
19 5–1
20 29 November 1992 Neo GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus Template:Fb 3–1 4–1 FIFA World Cup 1994 qualification
21 17 November 1993 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales Template:Fb 1–0 2–1 FIFA World Cup 1994 qualification
22 14 June 1994 Trabuco Hills Stadium, Mission Viejo, United States Template:Fb 1–1 1–1 Friendly
23 18 June 1994 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States Template:Fb 2–0 3–1 1994 FIFA World Cup
24 22 June 1994 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, United States Template:Fb 1–1 1–4 1994 FIFA World Cup
25 3 July 1994 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States Template:Fb 3–1 3–2 1994 FIFA World Cup
26 12 November 1994 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 2–0 3–2 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
27 15 October 1995 Všešportový areál, Košice, Slovakia Template:Fb 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
28 9 October 1996 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland Template:Fb 2–0 4–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
29 29 March 1997 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 4–0 8–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
30 10 September 1997 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 1–0 4–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
31 4–0
32 11 October 1997 Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland Template:Fb 1–0 1–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
33 3 June 1998 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 3–2 3–2 Friendly
34 4 September 1999 Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia Template:Fb 2–1 5–1 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying
35 8 September 1999 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Template:Fb 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying

Managerial statistics

Template:Updated

Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Template:Flagicon Romania 1 September 2001 27 November 2001

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Bursaspor 1 July 2003 15 November 2003

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Galatasaray 22 March 2004 28 May 2005

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Politehnica Timișoara 7 November 2005 21 May 2006

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Steaua București 1 July 2007 20 September 2007

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Template:Flagicon Galatasaray 21 October 2010 24 March 2011

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Viitorul Constanța 15 September 2014 1 August 2020

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Farul Constanța 21 June 2021 2 June 2025

Template:WDL

Total

Template:WDLtot

Honours

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2

Player

Steaua București

Real Madrid

Brescia

Barcelona

Galatasaray

Individual

Template:Col-2

Manager

Galatasaray

Viitorul Constanța

Farul Constanta

Individual

Template:Col-end

See also

Notes

Template:Reflist Template:Reflist

References

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