In 2016, after 12 historic years at Shakhtar Donetsk, Mircea Lucescu accepted the offer to coach Russian powerhouse Zenit St. Petersburg, owned by Gazprom. Victor Hexan, Lucescu’s trusted physiotherapist and longtime collaborator, revealed exclusive behind-the-scenes details about the negotiations that brought him along to Zenit despite the club’s already extensive medical staff. Hexan recounted how Lucescu personally intervened with Gazprom’s president—eventually securing Hexan a salary vastly superior to his peers and a key niche within the team’s extensive fitness department. This move underscored Lucescu’s influence and the loyalty he inspires in his staff, highlighting how his leadership extended beyond the pitch to building a trusted entourage at elite clubs[1].
This appointment coincided with Lucescu’s first season at Zenit, where he quickly claimed the Russian Super Cup in 2016, affirming the successful start of his tenure and signaling his intent to make an impact on Russian football[1]. The insider perspective from Hexan also sheds light on the personal relationships and strategic decisions that underpin coaching transitions at top European clubs, offering football fans a unique glimpse into the management dynamics behind one of Eastern Europe’s most respected coaches.