Mircea Lucescu's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 7, 2026

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Mircea Lucescu. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Mircea Lucescu is a highly decorated Romanian football manager and former player. Throughout his extensive managerial career, he has coached numerous clubs across Europe, including Dinamo București, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Inter Milan. Lucescu is renowned for his tactical acumen, player development skills, and success in winning domestic and international titles. He has a reputation for building strong teams and nurturing young talent, contributing significantly to the success of the clubs he has managed. His career spanned several decades, establishing him as one of the most respected and influential figures in European football management.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1967: Won Cupa României

In 1967, Mircea Lucescu won the Cupa României with Dinamo București, scoring twice in a 3–1 victory against Rapid București.

1974: Second in Romanian Footballer of the Year Ranking

In 1974, Mircea Lucescu was placed second in the ranking for the Romanian Footballer of the Year award.

May 1990: Returned to the field as a player while coaching Dinamo

On May 16, 1990, while coaching Dinamo, Mircea Lucescu came out of retirement and entered the field in a match against Sportul Studențesc București, becoming the oldest player to appear in a Divizia A match at 44 years old.

1993: Anglo-Italian Cup win

In 1993, Brescia won the 1993–94 Anglo-Italian Cup during the season they were promoted again to Serie A.

1998: Securing the Cupa României

In 1998, Rapid București secured the 1997–98 Cupa României after a 1–0 win over Universitatea Craiova in the final.

1999: Won Divizia A and Supercupa României

In 1999, Lucescu's team Rapid București won the 1998–99 Divizia A, which was the first championship title won by the club after 32 years, and also won the 1999 Supercupa României after a 5–0 victory against rivals Steaua București.

2003: Won Turkish title with Beşiktaş

In 2003, Mircea Lucescu managed to win the Turkish title with Beşiktaş, having only one loss and collecting 85 points – a record points tally in a single Süper Lig season. The team also reached the 2002–03 UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

2003: Won Ukrainian Cup

In 2003–04 season which concluded in May 2004, Mircea Lucescu won the Ukrainian Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk, defeating Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 2–0 in the final on 30 May.

2004: Romania Coach of the Year Award

Mircea Lucescu was named Romania Coach of the Year in 2004.

2006: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2006, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2006: Ukraine Coach of the Year Award

Mircea Lucescu was named Ukraine Coach of the Year in 2006.

2007: Won Premier League title

In 2007–08 season, Mircea Lucescu secured the Premier League title and the Ukrainian Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk.

March 2008: Decorated by the President of Romania

On March 25, 2008, Mircea Lucescu was decorated by the President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" – (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class III, for representing his country at the 1970 World Cup.

2008: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2008, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2008: Won Premier League title and Ukrainian Cup

In 2008, Mircea Lucescu won the Premier League title and the Ukrainian Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk.

2008: UEFA Cup Win with Shakhtar Donetsk

In 2008, Mircea Lucescu won the UEFA Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk, adding to his list of trophies.

2008: Won UEFA Cup with Shakhtar

In 2008–09, Răzvan Raț stayed with Mircea Lucescu in his command and won the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.

2008: Ukraine Coach of the Year Award

Mircea Lucescu was named Ukraine Coach of the Year in 2008.

May 2009: Received National Order and Honorary citizenship

In May 2009, Mircea Lucescu received the National Order "Cross of Romania" and was granted the title "Honorary citizen of Donetsk" for winning the UEFA Cup and promoting Ukrainian football.

2009: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2009, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2009: Regained the Premier League title

In 2009–10 season, Shakhtar Donetsk, under Mircea Lucescu, regained the Premier League title.

2010: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2010, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2010: Romania Coach of the Year Award

Mircea Lucescu was named Romania Coach of the Year in 2010.

2010: Successful season with Shakhtar

The 2010–11 season was very successful for Lucescu. He guided Shakhtar to a domestic treble, winning the Premier League, the Ukrainian Cup and the Super Cup. They also had their most successful Champions League campaign, reaching the quarter-final stage.

2011: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2011, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2012: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2012, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2012: Romania Coach of the Year Award

Mircea Lucescu was named Romania Coach of the Year in 2012.

2013: Manager of the Decade Award in Romania

In 2013, Mircea Lucescu was awarded the Manager of the Decade award in Romania.

2013: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2013, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2014: Coach of the Year award in Ukraine

In 2014, Mircea Lucescu won the Coach of the Year award in Ukraine.

2014: Romania Coach of the Year Award

Mircea Lucescu was named Romania Coach of the Year in 2014.

2015: Coaching in 100 UEFA Champions League Matches

In 2015, Mircea Lucescu became the fifth person to coach in 100 UEFA Champions League matches.

2015: Won Ukrainian Cup

In 2015-2016 season which concluded in 2016, Lucescu won the 2015–16 Ukrainian Cup after defeating Zorya Luhansk 2–0 in the final.

2021: Won League Title and Ukrainian Cup

In 2021, Mircea Lucescu secured his first league title with Dynamo Kyiv on 25 April, following a 5–0 victory against Inhulets, and on 13 May he secured the double with a 1–0 win over Zorya Luhansk in the 2021 Ukrainian Cup Final.