Simeone's touching message for Lucescu: 'He protected me like a child'

Diego Simeone bid farewell to Mircea Lucescu with a touching message, following Lucescu's passing. Lucescu was the father of the PAOK coach and former coach of the Romanian National Team.

The Romanian Football Federation announced his death, expressing its sadness for the loss of an 'absolute legend'.

Diego Simeone, coach of Atletico Madrid, bid farewell to Mircea Lucescu, who coached him at Pisa and Inter. Simeone spoke about the special bond they had developed.

'I have an excellent memory of him and I send my condolences to the family. I remember the time in Pisa, when I was taking my first steps in football. He would take me to dinner at his house, he protected me because I was still a child,' Simeone said.

The Argentine coach emphasized Lucescu's human and professional qualities: 'I have a special memory of the man and the coach, but the numbers speak for themselves. I had him then at Inter, a period that was not so good, but he was always very direct, humble, a man with a big heart'.