Ionel Ganea returns to coaching following death of son

Former Romanian international footballer Ionel Ganea has returned to coaching with Chimia Victoria in the Brașov Liga IV to cope with the loss of his two-year-old son, Alexandru.

The child passed away on June 6, 2025, following a severe traumatic brain injury sustained in a car accident on May 9, 2025. The accident occurred on the road between Hurez and Făgăraș when the vehicle driven by Ganea collided with a stationary car. After the collision, the child was airlifted to Târgu Mureș, where he fought for his life in an induced coma for nearly a month.

To manage his grief, Ganea has maintained a daily routine of visiting his son's grave to light candles. He has stated that returning to football activity is a way to stay occupied and avoid being overwhelmed by his loss.