Well-known for his dislike of public appearances, he failed to turn up for the 2002 finals' draw, where the Russians were drawn in group H with Japan, Belgium and Tunisia.
"He (Romantsev) often complains that the Russian team isn't well perceived in the West, but how should they treat us if our national team's head coach turns down Western media at every opportunity," a Russian federation official said at the time.
Last year, he ordered the players not to talk to Russian journalists for two months after what he perceived was biased media coverage of the qualifier against Yugoslavia.
Perhaps it is this outward reticence, if not downright suspicion, that has prevented the Russian people from taking the coach to their hearts.
Whatever, it is doubtful whether Romantsev would care. Everything he does is focused firmly on keeping his private life private and his team properly focused on a common goal.
"You have to play for the team," he said in a rare moment of illumination.
"If everyone starts playing his own game, we won't succeed.
"Clearly, we're far from being the best team in the world right now and we have been given a task of making it into the second round," he said.
"It is our minimum goal. It's a question of psychology. If you win that first game, the players become more relaxed and will have a better chance to play their best in their next match.
"And vice-versa. If you lose the opener, then the next game becomes all or nothing, which puts extra pressure on the players and could hinder them in showing all their skills.
"That's why it's important to win the first one, then the next game might become a little bit easier."
Not everyone in Russia thinks Romantsev is a great coach, but no one can diminish his contribution to the development of Russian football nor his commitment to achieving success with the national team.
Like him or loathe him, he nevertheless deserves your respect.