Gheorghe Hagi

FC Constanța

Hagi began his career in 1978, playing for FC Constanța's youth teams under the guidance of coach Iosif Bükössy. The Romanian Football Federation selected him to join the Luceafărul București squad in 1980, where he remained for two years. In 1982, he returned to FC Constanța, making his Divizia A debut on 11 September at age 17, being a starter under coach Emanoil Hașoti in a 3–0 away loss to SC Bacău. On 6 November he scored his first goal when he defeated goalkeeper Vasile Iordache with a 35-meter shot, closing the scoring in the 2–2 draw against Steaua București. In the Sportul newspaper, the chronicle of the match was signed by Stelian Trandafirescu, under the title "A junior (Hagi) stops the Bucharest team!" in which the journalist described the goal as follows:"Hagi scored sensationally (what an effective shot!), from distance". Until the end of the season he would score six more goals, including two doubles against CS Târgoviște and Politehnica Timișoara, but the team finished in last place, being relegated to Divizia B.

Sportul Studențesc

Hagi was originally directed to Universitatea Craiova, but chose Sportul Studențesc of Bucharest instead where he would form a successful offensive partnership with Marcel Coraș. The highlights of his years with Sportul were becoming the top-scorer of the league for two consecutive seasons, in the first one with 20 goals scored, then in the second with 31, including six in a 7–5 win over Olt…

Early years and Euro 1984

Hagi made his debut for Romania on 10 August 1983 at the age of 18, under coach Mircea Lucescu who used him the entire match in a 0–0 friendly draw against Norway, played at the Ullevaal stadium in Oslo. After the game, the Sportul newspaper wrote:"Hagi is the main win of the match with Norway". He was selected by Lucescu to be part of the squad that went to Euro 1984, as the team needed a replacement for injured Ilie Balaci. In the first game which was a 1–1 draw against Spain, he came in the 76th minute to replace Romulus Gabor, then in the 2–1 loss to West Germany he was a starter, but replaced at half-time with Ion Zare. In the 1–0 loss against Portugal he did not play, as Romania did not get past the group stage. The 19-year-old Hagi's performance in the final tournament was criticized by Lucescu:"Țicleanu and Hagi failed to make a real contribution after entering. Hagi, especially, isolated himself on the wing, being unable to make up for the great absence of Balaci". He scored his first international goal against Northern Ireland in a 3–2 loss during the 1986 World Cup qualifiers. In the second leg against the Northern Irish he was made captain for the first time, but the game ended with another loss.

1990 World Cup

He played six matches and scored once from a penalty in a 3–0 victory against Greece in the 1990 World Cup qualifiers. In the final tournament, coach Emerich Jenei could not use him in the first game, a victory…

Romania

In 2001, Hagi was named the head coach of Romania, replacing Ladislau Bölöni, who left the squad to coach Sporting Lisbon. He led the team in the final matches of the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, the first match being a 2–0 away win over Hungary, followed by a 1–1 draw against Georgia. Afterwards the team reached a play-off where they faced Slovenia, losing 2–1 in the first leg and drew 1–1 in the second where Hagi, by the end of the game, was using five forwards.

Bursaspor

In July 2003, Hagi took over as coach of Turkish Süper Lig side Bursaspor, transferring Romanian players Ionel Ganea, Bogdan Vintilă, Iulian Miu and Cornel Frăsineanu to the club. However, his spell was unsuccessful, earning just two victories out of 12 games, leaving in November.

Galatasaray

Hagi then became manager of Galatasaray in March 2004, replacing Fatih Terim, having fellow Romanian players Florin Bratu and Ovidiu Petre in the squad, finishing the season in sixth place. In the following season, the team finished third in the league and won the Turkish Cup after a 5–1 victory in the final against fierce rivals Fenerbahçe, and he also promoted young Arda Turan to the first team. Afterwards he was replaced with Eric Gerets.

Politehnica Timișoara

Hagi was hired by Politehnica Timișoara in November 2005, managing to win his first two matches, defeating Oțelul Galați 2–0 and Pandurii Târgu Jiu 1–0. During this spell, he gave the first league debut to Gabriel…

Hagi was born to Iancu and Chirata Hagi on 5 February 1965. Hagi's grandfather was one of 40,000 ethnic Aromanians who fled Greece to Romania. His mother was born in Mesolakkia, Greece, and her original surname was Mega. He set up home in the village of Săcele, near Constanța on the Black Sea coast. Hagi has fond memories of his grandfather who, like many Aromanians, was a shepherd. He stated: "I was proud when he, who was called Gheorghe like me, asked me to go and spend the whole day with him minding the sheep". He added: "I loved to eat cheese and tomatoes with him, and that is still my favorite food today." He also said "ambition is the main quality of the Aromanians".