Mircea Lucescu Passes Away: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Expresses Condolences
The football world mourns the loss of legendary Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu, who passed away at the age of 80 on April 7, 2023. His passing has resonated deeply among fans and colleagues, including former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who expressed his condolences and gratitude for Lucescu's impact on his career.
On April 7, 2023, the world of football suffered a significant loss with the passing of the esteemed Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu at the age of 80. His death has triggered profound reactions from fans and colleagues alike, notably from former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who took to social media to share his condolences and reflect on the influence Lucescu had on his career.
In his heartfelt post, Mkhitaryan stated: "Mister, you were one of my first coaches — the person who gave me the opportunity to grow and embark on an international career. I will always be grateful to you for allowing me to live the life I dreamed of since childhood. Thank you for your advice and trust, as well as for helping me become the player and person I am today. Football has lost a true gentleman and a master of the game. Rest in peace, Mister. You will always hold a special place in my heart. My heart is broken."
Mkhitaryan played under Lucescu's guidance from 2010 to 2013, during which time he helped the team secure several trophies, including one Ukrainian Super Cup, three Ukrainian Premier League titles, and the Ukrainian Cup. Overall, he made 72 appearances for Shakhtar, scoring 38 goals. Mkhitaryan is also recognized as the top scorer in a single season of the Ukrainian championship, having netted 25 goals in the 2012/13 campaign. Currently, he is the vice-champion of Italy and plays for Inter Milan.
Mircea Lucescu managed Shakhtar Donetsk from 2004 to 2016, overseeing a total of 573 matches during his tenure. Under his leadership, the team won an impressive 22 trophies, including eight Ukrainian championship titles, six Ukrainian Cups, and seven Ukrainian Super Cups. He also made history as the first coach to lead Shakhtar to a European trophy, winning the UEFA Cup in 2009. Following this success, he won the Ukrainian Premier League title with Dynamo Kyiv in the 2020/21 season. Lucescu is regarded as one of the most successful coaches in football history.
Sadly, the final days of Mircea Lucescu's life were marked by challenges. On March 29, 2026, he was hospitalized after falling ill during the Romanian national team's training camp following a 0-1 loss to Turkey in the World Cup 2026 qualifying playoffs. On April 2, he stepped down from his position as head coach of the Romanian team. The following day, Lucescu suffered an acute myocardial infarction while still in the hospital, leading to him being placed in a medically induced coma due to severe, treatment-resistant cardiac arrhythmias.
During a computed tomography scan, multiple signs of ischemic cerebral strokes and pulmonary embolism were discovered, and his condition was assessed as critical. Cardiologist Stefan Busnatu reported damage to multiple organs, including the heart, brain, and lungs. Unfortunately, on the evening of April 7, Mircea Lucescu passed away, leaving behind a tremendous legacy in the world of football.
Other players, such as Yaroslav Rakitskiy and Taras Stepanenko, also expressed their condolences and shared memories of Lucescu, posting commemorative photographs with him. The death of Mircea Lucescu represents a significant loss not only for Shakhtar Donetsk but also for Ukrainian and global football.