Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC have announced the appointment of Romanian Razvan Lucescu as their new head coach.
The 50-year-old left Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki last month after guiding them to a historic unbeaten Greek Super League tile; their first since 1985.
Prior to his successful stint in Greece, Lucescu had managed Rapid Bucharest, Brasov and Petrolul Ploiesti in his native Romania. He also had a two-year spell in Asian football, which saw him win the Qatar Stars Cup with El Jaish in 2012-13.
Lucescu fills the head coach post at King Saudi University Stadium which had been vacant since the departure of Pericles Chamusca who served as interim manager for one month, leading Al Hilal to two wins and a defeat in three league games in addition to a win and a draw in their last two 2019 AFC Champions League group stage matches.
Lucescu, the son of Mircea Lucescu; one of Romania's most prominent coaches, has just over a month to prepare for Al Hilal's 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash against domestic rivals Al Ahli, in what will be his first competitive match in charge of the Riyadh side.
In 1969, a coach and son of a coach was born.. #AlHilal Răzvan Lucescu #AlHilal_Video pic.twitter.com/IFncSl8Lag
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) June 30, 2019
The former Romania coach continues a proud tradition of Romanian coaches at Al Hilal. Anghel Iordanescu led the club to the 2000 Asian Club Championship, while the late Ilie Balaci won the 2002 Asian Super Cup.
Current Jiangsu Suning boss Cosmin Olaroiu won the Saudi Pro League title with Al Hilal in 2007-08 and most recently, Laurentiu Reghecampf led them to the 2014 AFC Champions League final.
Source: the-afc.com