View source for Răzvan Lucescu

{{Short description|Romanian association football manager and former player (born 1969)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Răzvan Lucescu
| image = Răzvan Lucescu.jpg
| caption = Lucescu as [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] manager in 2018
| image_size = 250px
| full_name = Răzvan Lucescu
| height = 1.77 m
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1969|2|17}}
| birth_place = [[Bucharest]], Romania
| currentclub = [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] (head coach)
| position = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]
| youthyears1 = 1981–1985
| youthclubs1 = [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]]
| youthyears2 = 1985–1987
| youthclubs2 = [[Sportul Studențesc]]
| years1 = 1987–1992
| years2 = 1992–1993
| years3 = 1993–1996
| years4 = 1996–1997
| years5 = 1997–1998
| years6 = 1998–1999
| years7 = 2000
| years8 = 2000–2001
| years9 = 2001–2002
| years10 = 2002–2003
| clubs1 = [[Sportul Studențesc]]
| clubs2 = [[A.C. Crema 1908|Crema]]
| clubs3 = [[Sportul Studențesc]]
| clubs4 = [[Național București]]
| clubs5 = [[Sportul Studențesc]]
| clubs6 = [[Național București]]
| clubs7 = [[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]]
| clubs8 = [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]]
| clubs9 = [[FCM Bacău]]
| clubs10 = [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]]
| caps1 = 24
| goals1 = 0
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 0
| caps3 = 81
| goals3 = 0
| caps4 = 31
| goals4 = 0
| caps5 = 31
| goals5 = 0
| caps6 = 23
| goals6 = 0
| caps7 = 13
| goals7 = 0
| caps8 = 26
| goals8 = 0
| caps9 = 10
| goals9 = 0
| caps10 = 1
| goals10 = 0
| totalcaps = 243
| totalgoals = 0
| nationalyears1 = 1989
| nationalteam1 = [[Romania national under-21 football team|Romania U21]]<ref name=v>{{cite news|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/razvan-lucescu-7201/|title=Răzvan Lucescu profile|publisher=11v11|access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref>
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1998
| nationalteam2 = [[Romania national football team|Romania B]]<ref name=v/>
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2004
| manageryears2 = 2004–2007
| manageryears3 = 2007–2009
| manageryears4 = 2009–2011
| manageryears5 = 2011–2012
| manageryears6 = 2012–2014
| manageryears7 = 2014
| manageryears8 = 2014–2017
| manageryears9 = 2017–2019
| manageryears10 = 2019–2021
| manageryears11 = 2021–
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]]
| managerclubs2 = [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]]
| managerclubs3 = [[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]]
| managerclubs4 = [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
| managerclubs5 = [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]]
| managerclubs6 = [[El Jaish SC|El Jaish]]
| managerclubs7 = [[FC Petrolul Ploiești|Petrolul Ploiești]]
| managerclubs8 = [[Xanthi F.C.|Xanthi]]
| managerclubs9 = [[PAOK FC|PAOK]]
| managerclubs10 = [[Al Hilal SFC|Al Hilal]]
| managerclubs11 = [[PAOK FC|PAOK]]
}}
'''Răzvan Lucescu''' ({{IPA|ro|rəzˈvan luˈtʃesku}}; born 17 February 1969) is a Romanian professional [[Association football|football]] [[Manager (association football)|manager]] and former player, who is currently managing [[Super League Greece|Greek Super League]] club [[PAOK FC|PAOK]].

As a player, he operated as a [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] and spent most years of his career at [[Sportul Studențesc]] during three stints. Lucescu also represented [[Național București]], [[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]], [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]], and [[FCM Bacău|Bacău]] in his country, as well as [[A.C. Crema 1908|Crema]] abroad. He won his only [[Liga I|national title]] with Rapid București in the [[2002–03 Divizia A|2002–03 campaign]].

Lucescu returned to Brașov in 2004 for his first role as a manager, before moving to Rapid where he guided the team to the [[Cupa României]] in the [[2005–06 Cupa României|2005–06]] and [[2006–07 Cupa României|2006–07 seasons]]. Between 2009 and 2011, he was in charge of the [[Romania national football team|Romania national team]]. His other managerial honours include nine domestic trophies with [[El Jaish SC|El Jaish]], PAOK, and [[Al Hilal SFC|Al Hilal]] combined. With the latter side, he also won the [[AFC Champions League]] in 2019.

==Playing career==
Born in [[Bucharest]], Lucescu made 243 appearances in the [[Liga I|Divizia A]] for [[FC Sportul Studențesc București|Sportul Studențesc]], [[FC Național București|Național București]], [[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]], [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]] and [[FCM Bacău]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/players/l/lucescu_razvan.shtml|title=The playing career of Răzvan Lucescu|work=RomanianSoccer.ro|access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>

==Managerial career==
===Brașov===
He began his coaching career with [[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]] in the 2003–04 season spanning 15 matches in the [[Liga I|first league]].<ref name="labtof_ro">{{Cite news|url=http://www.labtof.ro/profil/razvan-lucescu-6629/2003-2004/|title=Răzvan Lucescu in 2003–04 with FC Braşov|access-date=21 October 2011|work=Labtof.ro}}</ref>

===Rapid București===
In June 2004, he was named coach of [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/019e-0e6ae8a17df7-28a05ad387a9-1000--rapid-appointment-for-lucescu/|title=Rapid appointment for Lucescu|date=10 June 2004|access-date=15 March 2013|work=[[UEFA]]}}</ref> In his first season, he qualified for the [[UEFA Cup]], finishing third in the [[2004–05 Divizia A|domestic league]].

In the 2005–06 season, he had a dramatic start of the season, being dismissed for one night, before the owner of the club, [[George Copos]], decided to take him back. Lucescu and his side managed to defeat teams such as [[Feyenoord Rotterdam|Feyenoord]], [[Shakhtar Donetsk]] (his father's team),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/81959--shakhtar-vs-rapid-bucuresti/|title=Shakhtar Donetsk 0–1 Rapid București|publisher=UEFA|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jurnalul.ro/sport/sahtior-rapid-0-1-dulce-si-amar-32634.html|title=SAHTIOR – RAPID 0–1 Dulce si amar|publisher=jurnalul.ro|language=ro|trans-title=SAHTIOR – RAPID 0–1 Bitter and sweet|access-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008053100/http://jurnalul.ro/sport/sahtior-rapid-0-1-dulce-si-amar-32634.html|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Hertha BSC|Hertha Berlin]] and [[Hamburger SV]], reaching to the [[2005–06 UEFA Cup#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]] of the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]. Rapid was taken out by city rivals [[FC Steaua București|Steaua Bucharest]] after two draws. In the [[2005–06 Divizia A|league]], he finished as runners-up, after being sixth at the half of the season.

The 2006–07 season was not as good. Rapid got eliminated from the [[UEFA Cup 2006–07#Group G|UEFA Cup group stages]] after four draws, finishing fourth.
However, in 2007 Lucescu decided not to continue with Rapid, after a fallout with some of the supporters and several disagreements with the club owner. He opted to return to Braşov.

Răzvan won the [[Romanian Cup]] with Rapid in 2006 and 2007, both leading Rapid into the UEFA Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01c1-0f84afad36cb-f6f8ed75de33-1000--lucescu-makes-rapid-exit/|title=Lucescu makes Rapid exit|date=28 May 2007|access-date=15 March 2013|work=UEFA}}</ref>

===Return to Brașov===
Lucescu decided to start over and, instead of accepting to manage bigger clubs from abroad, he decided to coach [[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]], who relegated two years before and finished tenth in the last season of the second division. He didn't disappoint and won promotion from the [[2007–08 Liga II|first place]], bringing Braşov back in the first league.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=921400.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919003347/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=921400.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2017|title=Coaching profile Răzvan Lucescu |date=31 May 2010|access-date=10 April 2013|work=UEFA}}</ref>

===Romania national team===
[[File:RO B ROMAUT Razvan Lucescu 1.jpg|left|175px|thumb|Lucescu in 2009]]
On 29 April 2009, he was appointed head coach and general manager of [[Romania national football team|Romania]], leaving Braşov after a ninth-place finish in the [[2008–09 Liga I|first division]] and replacing [[Victor Piţurcă]] in this position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/romania-appoint-lucescu-281674|title=Romania appoint Lucescu|date=29 April 2009|work=Worldsoccer.com|access-date=12 April 2013}}</ref> After two years in control he gave up the national team, following the 3–0 victory over [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]], leaving it with chances of qualifying to the [[UEFA Euro 2012]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7ceb324316-76aa2a3d182b-1000--lucescu-leaves-romania-post/|title=Lucescu leaves Romania post|date=5 June 2011|access-date=12 April 2013|work=UEFA}}</ref>

===Return to Rapid București===
In June 2011, Lucescu returned to Rapid București for a second spell as coach. Lucescu's Rapid side defeated Polish champions [[Śląsk Wrocław]] 4–2 on aggregate in the [[2011–12 UEFA Europa League play-off round|play-off]] round to qualify for the [[UEFA Europa League]] group stage. The club finished fourth in [[Liga I]] and reached the finals of the [[2011–12 Cupa României|2011–12 Romanian Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mediafax.ro/sport/dinamo-a-invins-rapid-scor-1-0-si-a-castigat-cupa-romaniei-galerie-foto-9664078|title=Dinamo a învins Rapid scor 1–0 si a câstigat Cupa României|language=ro|date=23 May 2012|access-date=17 May 2013|work=Mediafax}}</ref>

===El Jaish===
On 31 May 2012, he was appointed at the helm of Qatari side [[El Jaish SC|El Jaish]] on a two-year deal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.qsl.com.qa/en/News/view/6736/el-jaish-signs-deal-with-new-coach-lucescu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032154/http://www.qsl.com.qa/en/News/view/6736/el-jaish-signs-deal-with-new-coach-lucescu|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2016|title=El Jaish signs deal with new coach Lucescu|date=31 May 2012|access-date=21 June 2013|work=Qatar Stars League}}</ref> In his first season in charge Lucescu won the 2012–13 [[Qatari Stars Cup]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/sports/football/230414/eljaish-clinch-qatar-stars-cup|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100541/http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/sports/football/230414/eljaish-clinch-qatar-stars-cup|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2016|title=El Jaish clinch Qatar Stars Cup|date=25 March 2012|access-date=7 July 2013|work=The Peninsula Qatar}}</ref> and led his side into the knockout stages of the [[2013 AFC Champions League|AFC Champions League]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2013-acl-reports/el-jaish-3-1-al-jazira|title=El Jaish 3–1 Al Jazira|date=3 April 2013|access-date=26 August 2013|work=[[Asian Football Confederation|The AFC]]|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831233710/http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2013-acl-reports/el-jaish-3-1-al-jazira|url-status=dead}}</ref> His contract with El Jaish was terminated in January 2014 and he was replaced by coach [[Nabil Maâloul]] who led the club to the runner-up spot in the [[2013–14 Qatar Stars League|Qatar Stars League]].

===Petrolul Ploiești===
In March 2014, he was named the head coach of [[Liga I]] side [[FC Petrolul Ploiești|Petrolul Ploiești]] replacing [[Cosmin Contra]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/european-football/2013/former-romania-coach-lucescu-takes-charge-at-petrolul_sto4169887/story.shtml |title=Lucescu takes charge at Petrolul|date=11 March 2014|access-date=5 September 2014|work=Eurosport}}</ref> He was sacked six months later, Petrolul finished third in the [[2013–14 Liga I|domestic league]] and were knocked out in the semi-finals by [[Astra Giurgiu]] in the [[Cupa României|Romanian Cup]] and also eliminated in the play-offs of the Europa League.

===Xanthi===
On 24 September 2014, Lucescu signed a one-year contract with [[Superleague Greece|Greek Super League]] club [[Xanthi F.C.|Xanthi]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/lucescu-sa-pinto-greek-club-coaching-jobs-155619213--sow.html|title=Lucescu, Sa Pinto take Greek club coaching jobs |date=24 September 2014|access-date=28 September 2014|work=Sports.Yahoo.com}}</ref> He guided them to their first [[2014–15 Greek Football Cup|Greek Cup]] final in their history.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/GreekCup/loytseskoy-o-olympiakos-aksize-to-kupello.3487537.html |script-title=el:Λουτσέσκου: "Ο Ολυμπιακός άξιζε το Κύπελλο"|language=el|date=23 May 2015|access-date=24 May 2015|work=Sport24.gr}}</ref> Lucescu went on to extend his contract with the Akrites for a further two seasons.
[[File:Razvan Lucescu, press conference FC Basel - PAOK FC, 1 August 2018.jpg|right|210px|thumb|Lucescu during a press conference with [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] in 2018.]]

===PAOK===
On 11 August 2017, Lucescu would return to the benches of [[Superleague Greece]] as he signed a three-year contract with [[PAOK FC|PAOK]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/1e4ceba274ca4e9cae1b9186e3069abe|title=Greece's PAOK names Răzvan Lucescu as new coach |date=11 August 2017|access-date=11 August 2017|work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> His tenure at the club started against [[Östersunds FK|Östersunds]] for the play-off round of [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League]]. PAOK went to win the first leg in [[Thessaloniki]], 3–1, but a 0–2 defeat in Sweden in the second leg eliminated them from the competition, as they failed to reach the [[UEFA Europa League]] group stage for the first time in 5 years. Despite a bad start in the [[Super League Greece|Super League]], his team amassed an impressive winning streak to reach first place in the league table until the [[Double-headed eagles derby|derby]] with [[AEK Athens]] on 11 March 2018, where in the 90th minute of the match a [[Fernando Varela (Cape Verdean footballer)|Fernando Varela]] goal was disallowed in a controversial fashion,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ναι! Και αυτό το πρωτάθλημα ήταν δωσμενο υπερ του ΠΑΟΚ {{!}} Blog - Δημήτρης Τσορμπατζόγλου {{!}} Gazzetta |url=https://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1494128/nai-kai-ayto-protathlima-itan-stimeno-se-varos-toy-paok |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.gazzetta.gr |language=el}}</ref> leading to incidents culminating in the club's president [[Ivan Savvidis]] storming the pitch. The game was forfeited 0–3 to AEK Athens, with PAOK suffering a three–point deduction, echoing a similar deduction imposed to the club following the abandonment of a league match against [[Olympiacos–PAOK rivalry|rivals]] [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]] in February 2018, which was reversed on appeal. PAOK finished second at the end of the season despite winning their remaining fixtures, with AEK Athens becoming champions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Παναγιώτης |first=Κακούρης |date=2018-04-22 |title= ουτε με την εφορια να εκδιδει εισιτηρια ξημερωματα για το τσαντιρι δεν μπορει ο νανος μπαοκ!Αξια πρωταθλήτρια η ΑΕΚ μετά από 24 χρόνια! |url=https://www.sofokleousin.gr/protathlitria-i-aek-meta-apo-24-xronia-1 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Sofokleousin.gr |language=el}}</ref> On 12 May 2018, PAOK wins 0–2 at the home of [[AEK Athens]] and wins the [[Greek Football Cup|Greek Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Onsports |date=2018-05-12 |title=ΑΕΚ-ΠΑΟΚ 0-2: Το σήκωσε και της έδειξε ποιος είναι ο πραγματικός πρωκταθλητής αφου την επομενη χρονια καταφερε και πηρε 3ο πρωταθλημα ισοφαριζοντας τον Αρη την 1η ομαδα της μοναδικης συμπρωτευουσας του κοσμου! |url=https://www.onsports.gr/podosfairo/story/596424/aek-paok-0-2-tis-edeixe-poios-einai-o-pragmatikos-Larissa+1 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Onsports.gr |language=el}}</ref>

In the 2018–19 season, PAOK begin their European adventure in the second qualifying round of the [[UEFA Champions League]], eliminating [[FC Basel|Basel]] and [[FC Spartak Moscow|Spartak Moscow]], before losing in the play-offs against [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] and dropping to the [[UEFA Europa League]] group stages. PAOK finished fourth in a group with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE Borisov]] and [[MOL Vidi FC|MOL Vidi]], only winning 4–1 against [[FC BATE Borisov|BATE]] in [[Barysaw]] and losing all the other matches.

Despite the early European exit, the team enjoyed a great domestic season. On 21 April 2019, PAOK won their third league title and their first in 34 years after beating [[Levadiakos F.C.|Levadiakos]] at home with 5–0. Lucescu received wide praise from [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] fans and became a major figure in the club after leading it to its most successful season by that point.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/paok-wins-greek-league-still-unbeaten-with-1-round-left/2019/04/21/41c6028e-6463-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html?noredirect=on|title=PAOK fans celebrate their 1st Greek league title in 34 years|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=21 April 2019|access-date=5 May 2019}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Despite the departure of star player [[Aleksandar Prijović]] in January, Lucescu led his side to league triumph without a single defeat, a milestone last reached by [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] 65 years before, and finished the season with a record-breaking 80 points. On 11 May 2019, the club clinched its first ever [[Double (association football)|double]] after winning in the Greek Cup [[2019 Greek Football Cup final|final]] 1–0 against AEK Athens.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/paok-1st-undefeated-team-greek-league-season-55-195153941.html|title=PAOK 1st undefeated team in Greek league season for 55 years|work=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=5 May 2019|access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref>

===Al-Hilal===
On 28 June 2019, Lucescu parted ways with [[PAOK]] after receiving an offer to manage Saudi Arabian club [[Al-Hilal FC|Al-Hilal]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Al Hilal name Romanian Lucescu as head coach|url=http://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/al-hilal-name-romanian-lucescu-as-head-coach |publisher=[[Asian Football Confederation]] |date=30 June 2019 |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> The club reportedly paid [[PAOK]] the manager's €2M release clause. Răzvan had rejected the proposal from the specific team in May, however he changed his mind after a strong disagreement with the president of [[PAOK]] [[Ivan Savvidis]] and his son Giorgos Savvidis who had different plans for the team from them, that Lucescu had. As a result, he judged that he had no reason to stay in the team if his own plans for the team were not accepted, and so he left taking advantage of the fact that [[Al Hilal SFC|Al Hilal]] again proposed to him.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 July 2019|title=Λουτσέσκου: Από τον ΠΑΟΚ έφυγα γιατί δεν μπορούσα να πείσω τον Σαββίδη να προσαρμοστεί στις ιδέες μου|url=https://www.protothema.gr/sports/article/911464/lousteskou-apo-ton-paok-efuga-giati-den-borousa-na-peiso-ton-savvidi-na-prosarmostei-stis-idees-mou/|access-date=24 August 2020|website=ProtoThema|language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Λουτσέσκου: "Ο ΠΑΟΚ είναι στην ψυχή μου"|url=http://www.tzantzaras.gr/articles/GR/Kentriko_Thema/Themata/Lucescu-Forza|access-date=24 August 2020|website=www.tzantzaras.gr}}</ref> He brought the club to its third [[AFC Champions League]]-era title and first continental title in 17 years, after a 3–0 win on aggregate over [[Urawa Red Diamonds]] in the [[2019 AFC Champions League Final]].<ref name="Asian Football Confederation">{{cite news|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/final-2nd-leg-al-dawsari-gomis-strikes-seal-al-hilal-title|title=Final – 2nd Leg: Al Dawsari, Gomis strikes seal Al Hilal title|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|date=24 November 2019|access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> He was dismissed after a 1–0 defeat against [[Damac FC|Damac]] in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1810446/sport |title='We achieved a dream,' says departing Al-Hilal coach Răzvan Lucescu |website=Arab News |date=16 February 2021 }}</ref>

===Return to PAOK===
After two years in [[Saudi Arabia]], Lucescu returned to [[PAOK]] for a second term, signing a three-year contract with a salary of €1.7 million without including the bonuses and became the highest paid coach in the history of [[PAOK FC|PAOK]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-26|title=ΠΑΟΚ: Ανακοίνωσε επίσημα τον Λουτσέσκου για τρία χρόνια|url=https://www.protothema.gr/sports/article/1127783/paok-anakoinose-episima-ton-loutseskou-gia-tria-hronia/|access-date=2021-05-26|website=ProtoThema|language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=Onsports|date=2021-05-26|title=ΠΑΟΚ: Καλωσόρισε τον 'στρατηγό' Ραζβάν Λουτσέσκου για τα επόμενα τρία χρόνια! (video+photos)|url=https://www.onsports.gr/podosfairo/superleague/story/729975/paok-kalosorise-ton-stratigo-razvan-loytseskoy-video-photos|access-date=2021-05-26|website=Onsports.gr|language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ο Ραζβάν Λουτσέσκου επιστρέφει στον ΠΑΟΚ!|url=https://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1596747/o-razvan-loytseskoy-epistrefei-ston-paok|access-date=2021-05-26|website=www.gazzetta.gr|language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ο Λουτσέσκου έγινε ο πιο ακριβοπληρωμένος προπονητής με 5,1 εκατομμύρια ευρώ|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/paok-o-loytseskoy-egine-o-pio-akrivopliromenos-proponitis-me-5-1-ekatommyria-eyro.9243555.html|access-date=2021-09-19|website=www.sport24.gr|language=el}}</ref> In the [[Super League Greece|Super League]], [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] finished second, 19 points behind the champion [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-17 |title=Δεύτερος ο ΠΑΟΚ, έσπασε το αήττητο του Παναθηναϊκού στα πλέι-οφ: η τελική βαθμολογία της Super League |url=https://www.sdna.gr/podosfairo/966783_deyteros-o-paok-espase-aittito-toy-panathinaikoy-sta-plei-i-teliki-bathmologia |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=SDNA |language=el}}</ref> which they, however, eliminated in the semi-finals of the [[2021–22 Greek Football Cup|Greek Cup]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ολυμπιακός - ΠΑΟΚ 1-1 παρ.: 'Χρυσός' Τσόλακ στο 108' και μεγάλη πρόκριση του Δικεφάλου στο Καραϊσκάκης |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/olympiakos-paok-1-1-par-chrysos-tsolak-sto-108-kai-megali-prokrisi-toy-dikefaloy-sto-karaiskakis.9611459.html |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=www.sport24.gr |language=el}}</ref> to find [[PAOK]] for the fifth time in six years in a cup final, where they suffered a 1–0 defeat by [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]]; there were many protests for refereeing against [[PAOK FC|PAOK]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-23 |title=ΠΑΟΚ: Επιστολές διαμαρτυρίας στον Κλάτενμπεργκ και στους φορείς του τελικού Κυπέλλου |url=https://www.pronews.gr/athlitismos/paok-epistoles-diamartyrias-ston-klatenmpergk-kai-stous-foreis-tou-telikou-kypellou/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=Pronews.gr |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-23 |title=ΠΑΟΚ: Στέλνει επιστολές διαμαρτυρίας σε Κλάτενμπεργκ, ΕΠΟ, υπουργεία και αστυνομία για τα επεισόδια στον τελικό Κυπέλλου |url=https://www.newsbeast.gr/sports/arthro/8636941/paok-stelnei-epistoles-diamartyrias-se-klatenbergk-epo-ypourgeia-kai-astynomia-gia-ta-epeisodia-ston-teliko-kypellou |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=Newsbeast |language=el}}</ref> In the [[2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League|Europa Conference League]], he managed to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament, where he was eliminated by [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] there were also protests against refereeing against [[PAOK]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Μαρκάτος |first=Νίκος |date=2022-04-10 |title=Μαρσέιγ - ΠΑΟΚ: Δεν αδικήθηκε απλά, τον "εσφαξαν" - Και το δεύτερο γκολ offside! (vids) |url=https://www.sportime.gr/podosfairo/europa-conference-league/marseig-paok-den-adikithike-apla-ton-esfaxan-ke-to-deftero-gkol-offside-vids/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=sportime.gr |language=el}}</ref>

In the 2022–23 season, [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] without the necessary transfer support charged to the team president [[Ivan Savvidis]] finished in fourth place in the league table, while in the cup, they reached the final, where they were defeated 2–0 by [[AEK Athens]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Επίσκυρος |date=2023-05-30 |title=ΠΑΟΚ 2022/23: Μία σεζόν που τελείωσε όπως ξεκίνησε! |url=https://episkyros.gr/paok-2022-23-mia-sezon-pou-teleiose-opos-xekinise/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Episkyros |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ΑΕΚ - ΠΑΟΚ 2-0: Ασύγκριτη! Η Ένωση κατέκτησε ένα ιστορικό νταμπλ, σάρωσε τους Θεσσαλονικείς με 10 παίκτες από το 6' |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/aek-paok-2-0-asygkriti-i-enosi-katektise-ena-istoriko-ntampl-sarose-toys-thessalonikeis-me-10-paiktes-apo-to-6.10055415.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.sport24.gr |language=el}}</ref> The only notable thing about the season was the emergence of Greek wonder kids such as [[Giannis Konstantelias]] and [[Kostas Koulierakis]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Χιονίδου |first=Όλγα |date=2023-07-22 |title=Στη λίστα με τα κορυφαία wonderkids ο Ντέλιας! |url=https://inpaok.com/781166/sti-lista-me-ta-koryfaia-wonderkids-o-ntelias/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=inpaok.com |language=el}}</ref>

In the 2023–24 season, [[PAOK]] eliminated [[Beitar Jerusalem F.C.|Beitar Jerusalem]], [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]] and [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] in succession to reach the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] group stage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Οι ομάδες που προχώρησαν και όσες αποκλείστηκαν στο Europa Conference League |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/europa-conference-league-oi-omades-poy-prochorisan-kai-oses-apokleistikan.10233937.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.sport24.gr |language=el}}</ref> Then, in the group stage with [[Eintracht Frankfurt]], [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] and [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]], they finished first,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Άιντραχτ - ΠΑΟΚ 1-2: Τεράστιος Δικέφαλος, θριάμβευσε στην Φρανκφούρτη και πέταξε απευθείας στους '16' του Conference |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/aintracht-paok-1-2-terastios-dikefalos-thriamveyse-stin-frankfoyrti-kai-petaxe-apeytheias-stoys-16-toy-conference.10225869.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.sport24.gr |language=el}}</ref> qualifying for the round of 16, where they eliminated [[Dinamo Zagreb]] and made it to the quarter-finals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Σαρωτικός, ονειρικός, ψυχωμένος! Ο ΠΑΟΚ διέλυσε την Ντίναμο με 5-1 και πέταξε στους '8' του Conference League |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/paok-ntinamo-zagkremp-5-1-sarotikos-oneirikos-psychomenos-o-dikefalos-patise-toys-kroates-kai-petaxe-stoys-8-toy-conference-league.10282902.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.sport24.gr |language=el}}</ref> In the league, the double-header finished in first place in [[Super League Greece|Super League]] however, they were forced to play in the play-offs with the six first teams of [[Super League Greece|Super League]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Pole position... |url=https://www.paokfc.gr/nea/20240303-pole-position/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=PAOKFC |language=en}}</ref> In the cup, [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] successively eliminated [[Volos FC|Volos]] and [[Panserraikos]] they then advanced to the semi-finals, where they played [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]], and were eliminated after several refereeing error sat the expense of [[PAOK FC|PAOK]]. However, they managed to win the championship under his leadership, after a dramatic away win against [[Aris Thessaloniki F.C.|Aris Thessaloniki]] which was necessary to seal the title.<ref>{{cite web |title=PAOK wins the most dramatic Super League championship |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/sports/1239174/paok-wins-the-most-dramatic-super-league-championship/ |website=ekathimerini |access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Lucescu's father, [[Mircea Lucescu|Mircea]], also coached the [[Romania]] [[national team]]  and is one of the most decorated managers of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2039054.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109200205/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2039054.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 January 2014|title=Europe's ultimate footballing families|work=[[UEFA]]|date=28 April 2015|access-date=11 May 2015}}</ref>

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 11 May 2025}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"	
 |+ Managerial record by team and tenure				
|-
! rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |Nat
! rowspan="2" |From
! rowspan="2"|To
! colspan="8" |Record	
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}			
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
|align="left"|[[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|5 February 2004
|align=left|10 June 2004
{{WDL|15|5|3|7|for=20|against=15|diff=yes}}
|<ref name="labtof_ro" />
|-
|align="left" | [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|10 June 2004
|align=left|27 May 2007
{{WDL|133|74|37|22|for=227|against=110|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/romania/sc-fc-rapid-sa-bucuresti/1777/ |title=FC Rapid București: Matches |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=30 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[FC Brașov (1936)|Brașov]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|14 June 2007
|align=left|11 June 2009
{{WDL|73|40|21|12|for=121|against=52|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/romania/fc-brasov/1785/|title=FC Brașov: Matches |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=30 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
|align="left" |[[Romania national football team|Romania]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|29 April 2009
|align=left|4 June 2011
{{WDL|21|7|7|7|for=25|against=26|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/romania/romania/1839/ |title=Romania: Matches |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
|align="left" | [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|4 June 2011
|align=left|31 May 2012
{{WDL|48|25|11|12|for=78|against=47|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/romania/sc-fc-rapid-sa-bucuresti/1777/ |title=FC Rapid București: Matches |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
|align="left" | [[El Jaish SC|El Jaish]]
|{{flagicon|Qatar}}
|align=left|31 May 2012
|align=left|15 January 2014
{{WDL|68|39|9|20|for=112|against=67|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/qatar/al-jaish/12886/ |title=El Jaish: Matches|website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
|align="left" | [[FC Petrolul Ploiești|Petrolul Ploiești]]
|{{flagicon|Romania}}
|align=left|11 March 2014
|align=left|16 September 2014
{{WDL|28|13|9|6|for=48|against=24|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/romania/sc-fc-petrolul-ploiesti/1793/ |title=Petrolul Ploiești: Matches |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
| align="left" | [[Xanthi F.C.|Xanthi]]
|{{flagicon|Greece}}
|align=left|24 September 2014
|align=left|11 June 2017
{{WDL|109|38|37|34|for=123|against=109|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/greece/ao-xanthi/1047/ |title=Xanthi: Matches |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
| align="left" | [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] 
|{{flagicon|Greece}}
|align=left|11 August 2017
|align=left|28 June 2019
{{WDL|92|68|12|12|for=194|against=61|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/greece/paok-fc/1041/ |title=PAOK FC: Matches |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>
|-
| align="left" | [[Al-Hilal F.C.|Al-Hilal]]
|{{flagicon|KSA}}
|align=left|1 July 2019
|align=left|14 February 2021
{{WDL|72|45|17|10|for=146|against=67|diff=yes}}
|
|-
| align="left" | [[PAOK FC|PAOK]]
|{{flagicon|GRE}}
|align=left|26 May 2021
|align=left|present
{{WDL|215|120|42|53|for=392|against=217|diff=yes}}
|
|-
!colspan=4|Total
{{WDLtot|876|474|205|197|for=1486|against=791|diff=yes}}
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Național București'''
*[[Cupa României]] runner-up: [[1996–97 Cupa României|1996–97]]

'''Rapid București'''
*[[Liga I]]: [[2002–03 Divizia A|2002–03]]

===Manager===
'''Rapid București'''
*[[Cupa României]]: [[2005–06 Cupa României|2005–06]], [[2006–07 Cupa României|2006–07]], runner-up: [[2011–12 Cupa României|2011–12]]
*[[Supercupa României]] runner-up: [[2006 Supercupa României|2006]]

'''Brașov'''
*[[Liga II]]: [[2007–08 Liga II|2007–08]]

'''El Jaish'''
*[[Qatari Stars Cup]]: [[2012–13 Qatari Stars Cup|2012–13]]

'''Xanthi'''
*[[Greek Football Cup|Greek Cup]] runner-up: [[2014–15 Greek Football Cup|2014–15]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Έτσι έφτασαν στον τελικό Ολυμπιακός και Ξάνθη! |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/etsi-eftasan-ston-teliko-olympiakos-kai-xanthi.8298342.html |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=www.sport24.gr |language=el}}</ref>

'''PAOK'''
*[[Super League Greece]]: [[2018–19 Superleague Greece|2018–19]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ο ΠΑΟΚ πρωταθλητής Ελλάδας 2018-2019 |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/o-paok-protathlitis-elladas-2018-2019.8854130.html |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=www.sport24.gr |language=el}}</ref> [[2023–24 Super League Greece|2023–24]] 
*[[Greek Football Cup|Greek Cup]]: [[2017–18 Greek Football Cup|2017–18]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Σαν σήμερα το 2018: Ο τελικός του Αντρέ και της λύτρωσης για τον ΠΑΟΚ! (pics-vids) {{!}} Gazzetta |url=https://www.gazzetta.gr/monimes-stiles/h-mixani-tou-xronou/article/1592042/san-simera-2018-o-telikos-toy-antre-kai-tis-lytrosis-gia-ton-paok-pics-vids |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=www.gazzetta.gr |language=el}}</ref> [[2018–19 Greek Football Cup|2018–19]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Βιδάλη |first=Αθανασία |title=Τελικός Κυπέλλου 2019: Κυπελλούχος ο ΠΑΟΚ - Τρομερό ντάμπλ για τον «Δικέφαλο» του Βορρά! |url=https://www.dikaiologitika.gr/eidhseis/koinonia/254916/telikos-kypellou-2019-kypelloyxos-o-paok-tromero-dampl |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=www.dikaiologitika.gr |date=11 May 2019 |language=el-gr}}</ref> runner-up: [[2021–22 Greek Football Cup|2021–22]], [[2022–23 Greek Football Cup|2022–23]]

'''Al-Hilal'''
*[[AFC Champions League]]: [[2019 AFC Champions League|2019]]<ref name="Asian Football Confederation"/>
*[[Saudi Pro League]]: [[2019–20 Saudi Pro League|2019–20]]
*[[King Cup]]: [[2019–20 King Cup|2019–20]]

===Individual===
*''[[Gazeta Sporturilor]]'' [[Romania Coach of the Year]]: 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-21 |title=Προπονητής της χρονιάς στη Ρουμανία ο Λουτσέσκου |url=https://tempo24.news/eidisi/213118/proponitis-tis-hronias-sti-roymania-o-loytseskoy |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=tempo24.news |language=el}}</ref> 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-02 |title=Προπονητής της χρονιάς στη Ρουμανία ο Λουτσέσκου |url=https://www.sdna.gr/podosfairo/665920_proponitis-tis-hronias-sti-roymania-o-loytseskoy |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=SDNA |language=el}}</ref> 2020 (joint with [[Cosmin Olăroiu]]),
*''[[Gazeta Sporturilor]]'' [[Gazeta Sporturilor Monthly Football Awards|Romania Coach of the Month]]: March 2022,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/ideile-gazetei/octavian-popescu-razvan-lucescu-cei-mai-buni-martie-2022-659706.html|title=Luna juniorilor » Octavian Popescu a fost ales "Jucătorul lunii martie", iar Răzvan Lucescu - "Antrenorul lunii"! Cum s-a votat|trans-title=Month of the juniors » Octavian Popescu was chosen "Player of the month in March", and Răzvan Lucescu - "Coach of the month"! How the voting took place|newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=ro|date=4 April 2022|accessdate=8 April 2022}}</ref>
*[[Greek football PSAP awards#Best Manager of the Season Award|Super League Greece Manager of the Season]]:  [[2018–19 Superleague Greece#Annual awards|2018–19]], [[2023–24 Super League Greece#Annual awards|2023–24]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-09 |title=Καλύτερος προπονητής ο Λουτσέσκου, καλύτερος παίκτης ο Φορτούνης |url=http://www.matrix24.gr/2019/05/kaliteros-proponitis-o-loutseskou-kaliteros-pektis-o-fortounis/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=Matrix24 |language=el}}</ref>
*[[Saudi Pro League|Saudi Pro League Manager of the Month]]: [[2019–20 Saudi Pro League#Monthly awards|September 2019]],<ref>{{cite web |title=لوشيسكو وجونز ورومارينهو يحصدون أول جوائز الأفضلية |url=https://www.spl.com.sa/ar/node/2630 |website=spl.com.sa |access-date=12 October 2019 |language=ar}}</ref> [[2019–20 Saudi Pro League#Monthly awards|January 2020]],<ref>{{cite web |title=لوشيسكو وجوفينكو وبن مصطفى يحصدون جوائز الأفضلية لشهر يناير |url=https://spl.com.sa/ar/node/3252}}</ref> [[2019–20 Saudi Pro League#Monthly awards|February 2020]],<ref>{{cite web |title=لوشيسكو والجبلي والمعيوف يحصدون جوائز الأفضلية لشهر فبراير |url=https://spl.com.sa/ar/node/3366}}</ref> [[2020–21 Saudi Pro League#Monthly awards|November 2020]],<ref>{{cite web |title=أفضلية نوفمبر تذهب إلى رازافان والسومة وبخاري |url=https://www.spl.com.sa/ar/node/3571}}</ref>
*[[IFFHS]] [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] [[Man]] [[Coach of the Year]]: 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/837|title=AFC MEN TEAM 2020|website=IFFHS|date=16 December 2020}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of European association football families]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{RomanianSoccer|1087/razvan-lucescu}}
*{{Soccerway|rzvan-lucescu/125542}}

{{PAOK F.C. squad}}
{{Superleague Greece managers}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = Gold
| fg = Black
| bordercolor = Black
| list1 =
{{Romania Coach of the Year}}
{{Super League Greece manager of the season}}
{{AFC Champions League winning managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Managerial positions
|list1=
{{Romania national football team managers}}
{{FC Braşov managers}}
{{FC Petrolul Ploiești managers}}
{{FC Rapid București managers}}
{{Xanthi F.C. managers}}
{{PAOK FC managers}}
{{Al-Hilal FC managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lucescu, Răzvan}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Bucharest]]
[[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]]
[[Category:People from Bucharest]]
[[Category:Romanian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Romania men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:FC Sportul Studențesc București players]]
[[Category:FC Progresul București players]]
[[Category:FC Brașov (1936) players]]
[[Category:FC Rapid București players]]
[[Category:FCM Bacău players]]
[[Category:Liga I players]]
[[Category:Romanian football managers]]
[[Category:FC Brașov (1936) managers]]
[[Category:FC Rapid București managers]]
[[Category:Romania national football team managers]]
[[Category:El Jaish SC managers]]
[[Category:FC Petrolul Ploiești managers]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Qatar]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Greece]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Xanthi F.C. managers]]
[[Category:PAOK FC managers]]
[[Category:Super League Greece managers]]
[[Category:Al Hilal SFC managers]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Qatar]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Greece]]
[[Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Saudi Pro League managers]]
[[Category:20th-century Romanian sportsmen]]