
Morgan leads from front in emotional tribute to cousin
Jac Morgan shines in Ospreys victory, honoring late cousin Harri

Gheorghe Hagi has been appointed as Romania's national team coach for the second time, following the death of Mircea Lucescu. Hagi aims to elevate the team back to elite status in world football.
Mentioned in this story
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) â Romania great Gheorghe Hagi has been hired as national team coach for the second time. He was appointed to replace Mircea Lucescu, who died two weeks ago. The 61-year-old Hagi is widely regarded as Romaniaâs greatest ever soccer player, having led the country to the World Cup quarterfinals in 1994. He also played for Barcelona and Real Madrid as a creative attacking midfielder. His first stint as Romania coach was in 2001 and lasted three months, ending after failing to get the team through the playoffs for the 2002 World Cup. Hagi has since coached clubs in Romania and Turkey â including Galatasaray and Steaua Bucharest â but is back in charge of the No. 56-ranked national team, which will not be at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Romanians lost to Turkey in the playoffs, after which Lucescu fell ill and stepped down as coach. He died April 7, at the age of 80. âIt is an honor and a great responsibility to represent Romania once again, as I did as a player,â Hagi said in a statement released by Romaniaâs soccer federation. âI am convinced,â he added, âthat we can achieve beautiful things. I hope that the performances I had as a player, I will also have as a coach. I am convinced that we can become the best.â Romania last played at the World Cup in 1998. It reached the round of 16 at the European Championship in 2024, losing to the Netherlands. Hagiâs first games in charge will be friendlies against Georgia and Wales in June. Romania is in a Nations League group with Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Poland starting in September. He has signed a contract through to the 2030 World Cup, with the task of âbringing the national team back into the elite of world football,â the federation said. Federation president RÄzvan Burleanu said his organization has made âseveral attempts over timeâ to get Hagi to become coach again. \\_ AP soccer:
Hagi returned to replace Mircea Lucescu, who passed away two weeks prior.
Hagi previously coached Romania for three months in 2001 but did not qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Hagi aims to bring the national team back into the elite of world football and has signed a contract through to the 2030 World Cup.

Jac Morgan shines in Ospreys victory, honoring late cousin Harri

Alamara Djabi del Midtjylland sale del coma tras ser apuñalado; la policĂa investiga el ataque.
Wisconsin football's target Marcus Turpin to announce commitment on June 25
Why the Goldeneyes and Torrent Struggled in Their PWHL Debut Season

Grand Slams respond to tennis stars' privacy concerns after Australian Open complaints.
Donnie Freeman chooses St. John's, raising concerns for Kentucky Basketball.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.