Romania Legend Gheorghe Hagi Returns As Manager: ‘our Goal Is To Win Every Game’

Gheorghe Hagi has taken complete arsenic head of nan Romanian nationalist squad for a 2nd time, pinch nan erstwhile Barcelona prima announcing eager targets for his caller charges.

“Our extremity is to triumph each game. Our extremity is to triumph nan Nations League. Our extremity is to suffice for nan European Championship [in 2028],” Hagi said astatine a property convention successful Bucharest. “I was calved to win, not conscionable to exist. Don’t you cognize my motto?” added nan 61-year-old, nicknamed nan “Maradona of nan Carpathians”.

Hagi has signed a four-year contract, calling it an honour and a awesome responsibility, but besides “a immense challenge” to make nan state and their supporters happy.

The assignment marks Hagi’s return arsenic coach of Romania, much than 2 decades connected from a stint that lasted little than 3 months successful 2001. “I was young and restless then. I’m different now. More experienced, much of a coach successful each way,” Hagi said.

Hagi is presented astatine a property convention successful Bucharest. Photograph: Robert Ghement/EPA

He takes complete from Mircea Lucescu, who died astatine nan property of 80 pursuing a bosom onslaught earlier this month. Lucescu was nan coach who gave Hagi his world debut astatine nan property of 18 and past promoted him to skipper astatine conscionable 20. “He wanted maine to return complete arsenic coach,” Hagi said.

A midfielder known for his magical near foot, Hagi made 124 appearances for Romania and led nan state to nan quarter-finals of nan 1994 World Cup. His playing profession took him to apical European sides specified arsenic Real Madrid and Barcelona, earlier he turned to coaching.

Romania person not qualified for nan World Cup since 1998. Their latest effort was foiled astatine nan extremity of March, erstwhile Turkey hit them 1-0 successful nan playoff semi-final.

“We’re going to effort to beryllium nan best. It mightiness look for illustration a gangly order, but you cognize I for illustration to group myself beautiful eager goals. I emotion to win,” said Hagi.