Bulgarian legend Stoichkov to take stake in Romania’s Farul Constanța

February 13 – Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov is set to become a major shareholder in the Romanian top-flight club Farul Constanța, according to reports.

The move is triggered by a significant management shake-up following Gheorghe Hagi’s decision to accept an offer to become the head coach of the Romanian national team. Under national regulations, Hagi must sever formal ties with his club to lead the national side.

Stoichkov, a 1994 Ballon d’Or winner, will reportedly acquire half of Hagi’s current holdings. The remaining half will go to Romanian legend Gheorghe Popescu, who already serves as the club’s president.

Before the redistribution, the ownership of Farul Constanța stood as follows: Gheorghe Hagi: 69.9%, Rivaldo: 10%, Ciprian Marica: 10% and Daniel Moraru: 10.1%.

Under the new agreement, Stoichkov and Popescu will split Hagi’s 69.9% stake equally. The deal was reportedly finalised during Stoichkov’s 60th birthday celebrations on February 8th. The Bulgarian star has long maintained a close relationship with Hagi.

The Romanian Football Federation, led by President Răzvan Burleanu, has tapped Hagi to lead the national team through the Euro 2028 and 2030 World Cup qualifying campaigns.

The transition comes amid health concerns for the current head coach, Mircea Lucescu. Romanian media reports indicate that the 80-year-old Lucescu is currently hospitalized in Bucharest in “serious and worrying” condition.

While the specific diagnosis has not been disclosed, his health status may require Hagi to step in sooner than expected.

Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1770943968labto1770943968ofdlr1770943968owedi1770943968sni@o1770943968fni1770943968