Probably the Greatest Romanian player of all time and arguably one of the best of his generation, Hagi known as Regele (The King) in his homeland had a trophy laden career, starting out at Farul Constanța before a move to Sportul Studențesc in the Romanian lower leagues caught the eye of European Cup winner Steaua Bucharest.  He won 3 consecutive league titles, and picked up 2 Romanian cup winners medals during his time there and also a Euro Super cup title. He was also instrumental in helping Steaua reach the European Cup final but Milan were too strong for them to repeat the feat from a few years earlier. Gheorghe gained a move to Spain with Real Madrid but the Spanish Super Cup was his only trophy with them before moving to Italy and Serie B side Brescia, he helped the Italians gain promotion to Serie A as well as winning the now defunct Anglo-Italian Cup.  Hagi then returned to Spain but this time to Madrid's rivals Barcelona, but again he could only win the Spanish Super Cup, after 2 seasons he moved to Galatassaray in the Turkish leagues, where he earned the nickname Comandante (The commander) after helping them win 4 consecutive league titles, 2 Turkish cups, the Uefa Cup (Europa Cup) and a second Euro Super Cup.

The National team also benefited from his playmaker skills, “The Maradona of the Carpathians” played in 3 consecutive World Cups, 1990, 1994 and 1998.  Romania were knocked out of the earlier 2 tournaments on penalties but Hagi shone in 1994 being selected in the tournaments best XI. He also played in the 2000 European Championships after deciding to un-retire from internationals, however his last game for Romania saw him sent off in a defeat to Italy.

Gica Hagi e Gica Hagi... fiecare om suntem diferiti. El de acum se va identifica cu el insusi din tinerete, cand va castiga ca antrenor toate trofeele pe care le-a castigat pe teren in tarile pe unde a jucat, o promovare in Serie A, farmecul Seriei B din perioada Le Rondinelle i-a ramas in suflet, plus, ca selectioner, 3 participari la Mondiale si un European.

 

In concluzie, cam asta-mi e challenge-ul: plec de la Viitorul, e musai sa antrenez in Romania, Italia, Spania, Turcia, indiferent de ordine, sa castig 3 campionate, 2 cupe si o Supercupa a Europei in Romania, o promovare in Serie A in Italia, 2 Supercupe ale Speniei si, la cu turcii, sa castig 4 campionate, 2 cupe, Europa Cup si Supercupa Europei. La nivel de selectionate sunt liber sa imi aleg drumul. Greu, salvare lunga, dar nu imposibila.

faina tare ideea, baga mare.

Cum zic, Hagi, daca talent, a dovedit la oricine.