Mircea Lucescu has not occupied the position of head coach at the Ukrainian football club Shakhtar for several years now. But peak times were precisely with this mentor. A huge number of trophies have been won. Under his leadership, the miners entered their names in the modern history of football. The main event took place in 2009.
Contract signing
A Romanian expert was appointed at the end of the 2003/04 football game season. And in the very first month of work, the country’s cup was taken. The club has reached the rank of vice champion. The first historical Super Bowl of Ukraine was missed in the penalty shoot-out. But the new tactical vision of the game of the coach and the members of the “orange-black” team was just beginning to exist.
Individual achievements at the post
Coach Mircea Lucescu starts his first full season quite productively, gaining the upper hand in the national championship. The team showed an excellent attacking game, breaking away from nearest rivals by 7 points. The Pitmen scored the most goals, and Anatoly Tymoshchuk was recognized as the best player of the season, thanks to the sensitive guidance of the coach.
Romanians also proved to be excellent in the European football arena. Having passed ahead the favorites of Europe of the zero years, “Milan” and “Barcelona”, in the standings of the group stage of the Champions League, the team continued to fight for the UEFA Cup. After two meetings, Shakhtar knock out the German Schalke, but lose to the unyielding Dutch AZ.
The next season, again, the entire distance is spent in the fight for gold club Lucescu and Kiev Dynamo. Enchantingly, in the “golden match” the team of the Romanian coach rises to the top.
The expert continues to use his philosophy in country matches and in Europe, but for the second year in a row they lose the country's cup in the final to an eternal rival from Kiev. At the end of the 2006/07 game year, “Shakhtar was left without awards, but in the next he rehabilitated, taking all 3 trophies of the country: Championship, Cup and Super Cup. But the recognition of the fans will come very soon.
UEFA Cup
The leader did not manage to become in the struggle for the trophy in the country, and at the second most important tournament in Europe the “orange-black” was not equal. Having taken 3rd place in the Champions League group, they knock out all the grandees of the Old World on their way. In the 1/2 finals, the main opponent of Shakhtar's national championship was defeated, and then the German Werder beat.
The UEFA Super Cup team led by Lucescu lost in 1 goal to Barcelona, which is considered a good indicator.
Knight of the Order of Merit
After the triumph, Mircea Lucescu continues to collect trophies at Ukrainian football tournaments. He is awarded the Order of Merit of three degrees in respect of the people. Just imagine - he earned 22 trophies with Shakhtar after 573 matches!
Brazilian soccer mentor
The Romanian coach has some fantastic experience educating young football players from South America, turning them into first-class masters of their craft. This, for example, is the iron player of the base of Manchester City Fernandinho, as well as Willian, Douglas Costa and Tyson.
Shakhtar's midfielder Fred recently transferred to Manchester United owes a lot to the Romanian coach.
The list can be continued, but the most important thing is that all the players improved their professional qualities and gained world fame at Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to the head coach from Romania.
Their appreciation is visible in these photos from Mircea Lucescu.