FIFA sends condolences after death of Romanian football legend

FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a message of condolence in memory of Emeric Ienei, who passed away at the age of 88.

In a letter addressed to the Romanian Football Federation (FRF), Infantino said that the former Romanian international and national team coach was a model of elegance, balance, and respect, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

“A legend of FC Steaua Bucharest and Romanian football, known for his legendary calm and authority — a model of elegance, balance, and respect both on and off the field — his legacy and career will remain alive in everyone’s memory, and his absence will be deeply felt. On behalf of the international football community, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the Romanian Football Federation, as well as to Emeric Ienei’s family, friends, and loved ones. Our thoughts are with you all. May these memories and words of support bring some comfort and peace in these difficult moments,” wrote the FIFA president in the letter published on the FRF website.

The FIFA official also highlighted Ienei’s achievements as both a player and a coach.

“I wish to express my deepest condolences on the passing of former international player and national team coach Emeric Ienei. Words are insufficient to convey the sadness we feel at this loss. As a player, he earned six caps for the national team and represented his country at the 1964 Olympic Football Tournament. At club level, he will always be remembered for his long and brilliant career with FC Steaua Bucharest, with whom he won three league titles and four Romanian Cups. After retiring as a player, he began a remarkable coaching career. As Steaua’s coach, he led the club to six league titles, four Romanian Cups, and the historic European Cup triumph in 1986. He also coached Romania’s national team, leading it to the 1990 World Cup and again to Euro 2000 during his second term,” Infantino added.

Emeric Ienei, one of the greatest coaches in Romanian football history, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88.

Born on March 22, 1937, in Agrișu Mic (Arad County), Ienei played for Steaua Bucharest between 1954 and 1969 (254 matches, 7 goals). As a coach, he led the same team to victory in the 1986 European Cup. For this achievement, he was decorated in March 2008 with the “Sportive Merit” Order, Second Class with bar. On May 8, 1998, retired colonel Emeric Ienei from the Ministry of National Defense was promoted to the rank of brigadier general (one star).

He also played for UTA Arad and Kayserispor.

As a coach, he led Romania’s national football team in two terms and also managed Hungary’s national team. Ienei was the coach who brought Romania back to the World Cup after two decades, in Italy in 1990. In 2000, he again led the team to a final tournament — EURO 2000 — where Romania achieved a historic 3–2 victory against England, their first ever win at a European Championship.

At club level, he also coached FC Bihor, CS Târgoviște, MOL Fehérvár, Panionios, and FCU Craiova.

As a player, his honors include three league titles and four Romanian Cups; as a coach, six league titles, four Romanian Cups, and the continent’s ultimate trophy — the European Cup, won in 1986.