# Lucescu's Gulf move: Al‑Sadd contract confirmed > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/paok-coach-razvan-lucescu-tenure > Updated: 2026-07-31T10:17:35.000Z. Sources: 40. Developments: 20. Romanian coach Răzvan Lucescu completed a two‑year deal with Qatari champions Al‑Sadd in early July 2026, with an option for a third season. The contract, worth €3.5‑5 million per year, replaces former Italy manager Roberto Mancini. Al‑Sadd quickly announced the €3 million signing of Italian centre‑back Alessio Romagnoli and reported Lucescu’s first training session. A later update on 31 July 2026 clarified that the agreement provides a net €3.5 million salary each season, plus potential bonuses of up to €0.5 million, and runs until July 2028. The club expects Lucescu to deliver an Asian Champions League title, a trophy it has won only twice. During a pre‑season camp in Austria, Al‑Sadd recorded a 1‑0 friendly win over Turkish side Trabzonspor, the goal coming from a Roberto Firmino penalty. Lucescu’s first league match will be at home against Al‑Ahli Doha, and he will later face fellow Romanian Cosmin Contra, now on the bench of Al‑Arabi. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Răzvan Lucescu signs lucrative two‑year deal to lead Al‑Sadd in Qatar Romanian coach Răzvan Lucescu signed a two‑season €3.5 million‑per‑year contract with Qatar’s Al‑Sadd, aiming to win the Asian Champions League after a 1‑0 friendly win over Trabzonspor. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-signs-lucrative-twoyear-deal-to-lead-alsadd-in-qatar ### 2026-07-05: Razvan Lucescu appointed head coach of Qatar's Al‑Sant after PAOK tenure Razvan Lucescu leaves PAOK after five seasons to coach Qatar's Al‑Sant on a two‑year deal, returning to the Gulf after stints in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. PAOK preseason proceeds with new signings and a knee‑go 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/razvan-lucescu-appointed-head-coach-of-qatars-alsant-after-paok-tenure ### 2026-07-05: Răzvan Lucescu signs two‑year deal to coach Al‑Sadd in Qatar Răzvan Lucescu signed a two‑year, €3.5‑5 million per‑year contract to coach Al‑Sadd in Qatar, replacing Roberto Mancini and overseeing a €3 million signing of defender Alessio Romagnoli. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-signs-twoyear-contract-with-alsadd-in-qatar ### 2026-06-28: Răzvan Lucescu signs €3.5 million per‑season deal with Qatar's Al‑Sadd Romanian coach Răzvan Lucescu has joined Qatar’s Al‑Sadd on a contract worth about €3.5 million per season, replacing Roberto Mancini. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-signs-35-million-perseason-deal-with-qatars-alsadd ### 2026-06-28: Razvan Lucescu signs with Al Sadd on €5 million‑a‑year deal Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu will leave PAOK to join Qatar’s Al Sadd on a deal worth roughly €5 million a year, surpassing his previous Saudi salary but below former coach Mancini’s €9 million. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/razvan-lucescu-signs-with-al-sadd-on-5-millionayear-deal ### 2026-06-26: Răzvan Lucescu mourns father’s death while courting a €5 million Al‑Sadd deal Răzvan Lucescu mourns his father Mircea’s death and is close to a €5 million contract with Qatar’s Al‑Sadd after leaving PAOK. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-mourns-fathers-death-while-courting-a-5-million-alsadd-deal ### 2026-06-25: Razvan Lucescu negotiates with Saudi Al‑Ittihad after leaving PAOK Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu paused a €7 million deal to negotiate with Saudi side Al‑Ittihad after accusing PAOK of back‑room talks and leaving the Greek club. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/razvan-lucescu-negotiates-with-saudi-alittihad-after-leaving-paok ### 2026-06-23: Răzvan Lutsescu laments departure from Greek club PAOK Răzvan Lutsescu expressed sorrow over his PAOK exit, thanked owner Ivan Savvidis, and lamented a lack of proper farewell and high expectations. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/razvan-lutsescu-explains-his-turbulent-exit-from-paok ### 2026-06-22: Romanian coaches seek new posts in Greek football Edi Iordănescu is in talks for a major contract with Levadiakos, while Răzvan Lucescu leaves PAOK, citing missed farewells with owner Ivan Savvidis. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romanian-coaches-seek-new-posts-in-greek-football ### 2026-06-20: Răzvan Lucescu near deal with Qatar's Al‑Sadd on €3.5 million yearly contract Răzvan Lucescu is close to signing a €3.5 million‑per‑year deal with Qatar's Al‑Sadd after leaving Greek club PAOK, where he won two titles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-near-deal-with-qatars-alsadd-on-35-million-yearly-contract ### 2026-06-19: Razvan Lutsescu set to become head coach of Al Sadd after PAOK exit Razvan Lutsescu leaves PAOK and is in talks to coach Qatar’s Al Sadd on a $4 million‑per‑year contract, aiming for a three‑year deal. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/razvan-lutsescu-set-to-become-head-coach-of-al-sadd-after-paok-exit ### 2026-06-19: PAOK parts ways with Razvan Loucsekou, names Alessio Lisi as new head coach PAOK announced the mutual termination of Razvan Loucsekou’s contract after five years, two titles, and appointed Italian‑Spanish‑trained Alessio Lisi as the new head coach. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paok-ends-era-with-razvan-lutsescu-and-eyes-marno-pusic-as-new-coach ### 2026-06-18: Răzvan Lucescu leaves PAOK after two seasons Romanian coach Răzvan Lucescu has left Greek side PAOK by mutual consent after two tenures, winning two league titles and two cups, with Marino Pusic named as his replacement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-leaves-paok-after-two-seasons ### 2026-06-15: Răzvan Lucescu to leave PAOK and join Al‑Sadd in Qatar Romanian coach Răzvan Lucescu, PAOK’s most successful manager, will end his contract early and take over at Qatar’s Al‑Sadd, which will pay a reduced termination fee. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-to-leave-paok-and-join-alsadd-in-qatar ### 2026-06-15: Razvan Lutsescu ends tenure as PAOK head coach Razvan Lutsescu will depart PAOK after seven years, three league titles and two cups, with an amicable split and a replacement search underway. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/razvan-lutsescu-ends-tenure-as-paok-head-coach ### 2026-06-14: Răzvan Lucescu’s future at PAOK questioned as Greek football voices urge his exit Greek legend urges Răzvan Lucescu to quit PAOK; the coach wants to stay, has a year left, and rejected foreign offers as PAOK’s owner prepares to decide his future. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescus-future-at-paok-questioned-as-greek-football-voices-urge-his-exit ### 2026-06-14: PAOK coach Razvan Lutzescu's future hinges on owner Ivan Savvidis' decision PAOK coach Razvan Lutzescu wants to stay until his 2027 contract ends, but owner Ivan Savvidis must decide amid tension and interest from a Qatari club, affecting the team's season planning. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paok-coach-razvan-lutzescus-future-hinges-on-owner-ivan-savvidis-decision ### 2026-06-14: PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu set to depart after five‑year spell Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu is set to leave PAOK after five years, ending a highly successful spell that included two league titles and two cups, as the club negotiates a mutual contract termination. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paok-coach-razvan-lucescu-set-to-depart-after-fiveyear-spell ### 2026-05-31: Răzvan Lucescu Emphasizes Emotional Coaching in PAOK Interview Răzvan Lucescu told a Romanian TV audience he coaches emotionally, values his father's resilience, respects peers, and left open but uncertain prospects of returning to Romanian football. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rzvan-lucescu-emphasizes-emotional-coaching-in-paok-interview ### 2026-05-28: PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu confirms one‑year contract and outlines future amid player injuries PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu confirms a one‑year contract, says the club decides his future, and discusses several player injuries after a Bucharest friendly. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paok-coach-razvan-lucescu-confirms-oneyear-contract-and-outlines-future-amid-player-injuries --- Cite as: Lucescu's Gulf move: Al‑Sadd contract confirmed. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/paok-coach-razvan-lucescu-tenure