Memorial tournament announced for Steaua legend Emeric Ienei

Darius Manciu announced that a memorial tournament honoring his grandfather, Emeric Ienei, will take place on November 15 at Arcul de Triumf stadium. The event will feature participation from the Steaua ’86 team and serves to mark one year since the death of the legendary coach who brought the European Champions Cup to Bucharest.

Manciu, who is 22 years old and currently employed at Dinamo, presented significant items from his grandfather's legacy during an interview. These included a miniature replica of the European Champions Cup and a Knight distinction awarded to Ienei by President Klaus Iohannis in 2017. Despite working for Steaua’s rival, Manciu noted that his grandfather never pressured him to support Steaua and instead appreciated the diversity within their family.

Reflecting on his grandfather's character, Manciu stated he realized late what a monument he had in his family because Ienei never boasted about his achievements. He recalled that Ienei advised him to always be fair and never seek the easy path if it was unjust. Manciu described him as a calm gentleman who focused entirely on his players rather than his own accolades.

The family retains dozens of artifacts including medals, shirts, whistles, and an extensive photo archive that Manciu intends to restore. He expressed a strong desire to organize an exhibition or establish a future museum dedicated to Emeric Ienei so the public can better understand his significance to Romania. Ienei won seven trophies as a player and eleven as a coach with Steaua, managing 259 matches over six mandates.