Professional Playing Career

Lucescu began his professional football career with Dinamo Bucharest. He debuted on June 21, 1963, in a match against long-standing rivals Rapid Bucharest, which Dinamo won 5–2. After two seasons and limited appearances—just three matches—he was loaned to clubs in Romania's second division, including Știința Bucharest and Politehnica Bucharest, where he gained more experience.

He returned to Dinamo in 1967 and went on to have a successful 10-year stint with the club. During this time, he played in 247 matches and scored 57 goals. Lucescu won the Romanian league title in 1971, 1973, 1975, and 1977, and secured the Romanian Cup in 1968. In 1977, he transferred to Corvinul Hunedoara, where he played for five more years before retiring from professional football. His final match as a player occurred on May 16, 1990, against Sportul Studențesc.

Managerial Beginnings and National Team Role

Lucescu began his coaching career in 1979 with Corvinul Hunedoara, where he successfully led the team to promotion into Romania’s first division. His managerial acumen soon earned him the role of head coach of the Romanian national team. Under his leadership, Romania qualified for the 1984 UEFA European Championship in France, notably defeating reigning world champions Italy during the qualifiers.

Club Management in Romania and Italy

From 1985 to 1990, Lucescu managed his former club Dinamo Bucharest. During this period, Dinamo finished as runners-up four times and finally clinched the national championship in 1990. He then moved to Italy, where he managed clubs including Pisa, Brescia, and Reggiana. His coaching approach in Italy was marked by a focus on discipline and tactical development.

Lucescu returned to Romania in 1998 to take charge of Rapid Bucharest. He led the team to a second-place finish in the domestic league, and the following season, he secured the league title. In 1999, he briefly managed Inter Milan before returning once again to Rapid Bucharest.