“I had lost my enthusiasm, I felt like I was stagnating!” » What he says about Kopic and how the move was made

Active on the transfer market even before the current season came to an end, Dinamo also secured the services of an “under”, after having also struck hands with Ianis Doană from Steaua, the son of former footballer Leontin Doană.

Adriano Manole, one of the promising products from the nursery of FC Argeșsigned the other day with Zeljko Kopic's team, after deciding not to extend his contract with the white-violets, ProSport announced on Wednesday. The contract covers the next three years, with an option to extend.

Promoted to the first team of Argeș after convincing in the juniors

Born in July 2007, Manole impressed in the previous years in the junior groups of FC Argeș, the performances in the Youth League propelling him to the first team of Pitesti. He made his debut under Bogdan Andone last year, in the second division, and collected six appearances in the Superliga as well, although he has benefited from few minutes in the current season.

In the play-off, for example, he collected eight minutes at home, with Craiova University, and another four away from Cluj Arena, with “U”, preparing throughout the season with the first team squad. He describes himself as versatile: he can perform both in the lane and as a striker. In the juniors, he was also used in the center of the field.

Below, three of Manole's “youth” goals:

Been on Dinamo's radar for a long time, Manole reached an agreement with Andrei Nicolescu last weekthe move to be formalized in the following period. Adriano, who is managed by Anamaria Prodan, still had a contract with Argeșul until June 30, but chose not to continue in Trivale.

Gazeta spoke on Wednesday evening with Adriano Manole, the second kid to join the “youth legion” from Dinamo in the last few days. Why did he end it with FC Argeș, what hopes does he have before moving to the red-whites, who does he like from the current squad and how does he hope to overcome Kopic's reluctance to bet more on youngsters, in the first interview offered from the “red dog” position.

Adriano Manole introduces himself to the fans: “I had lost my enthusiasm and confidence. Dinamo is a new beginning”

– Adriano, what does this transfer mean for you?
– For me, this move to Dinamo means a step forward, it's a new beginning, a new challenge, which I'm looking forward to.

– After a long time, you part ways with FC Argeș, the club that formed you.
– The last period was a difficult one for me, I was sad, I worked a lot at Elita. For four years, I have been the top scorer of the team, and last year the top scorer of the championship (no in the Youth League). For me, football means everything. All my life I worked to climb, and when I felt that I was stagnating, I talked to Mrs. Anamaria and told her that I wanted to be appreciated, encouraged, and helped to grow. Following the discussions Ms. Anamaria had about me, no common agreement was reached and we both decided to see who is interested in an 18-year-old striker free of contract.

– And that's how you got to Dinamo?
– I was happy that I had a couple of offers from League 1 and one from outside. I had lost my enthusiasm and confidence, but when I received the offer from Dinamo, it was as if I felt that this would be a new beginning for me. Out of respect for the other clubs, I have chosen not to divulge the rest of the options, but I thank them for their interest. With all respect for FC Argeș, the club where I have been since the age of 10, where I grew up, and with all respect for the team management and colleagues, I want to thank them. I will never throw words against anyone, I just said what I felt. My choice was with the soul and with the hope that at Dinamo I will demonstrate what I can do.

– Are you ready for this environmental change and all the things that come with it?
– Yes, I am ready for this change. I consider myself an adaptable guy and I am aware of the expectations that are at the Dinamo club.

– How do you see the competition from Dinamo and the fact that Zeljko Kopic has not relied so much on young people so far?
– Dinamo is a club that wants performance, European cups and trophies. I don't think I am in a position to talk about what decisions Mr. Kopic made throughout the season, what he achieved at Dinamo is remarkable and is only to be appreciated. Competition is a good thing, it forces you to be better and better and I'm ready for that.

“Cîrjan is a perfect leader”

– How do you think this competition will go with the other young players from Dinamo?
– It will be a difficult battle, there are many quality young players at Dinamo, it is a natural battle, I say. And whoever deserves it will get the chance.

– Which Dinamo players do you like?
– Dinamo has a very good team, but the players that caught my attention were especially, Armstrong, Karamoko, both very technical. And Cîrjan, who is a perfect leader.

– You will also contact Dinamo's gallery…
– There is not much to say. From the scenography to the atmosphere created in the stadiums to the large attendance at the matches, it is sensational! There is only one thing to say: the most beautiful gallery in Romania!

– Baccalaureate is coming up for you, how are the preparations going? And how does coming to Dinamo influence the option of going to college?
– Yes, I am going to take the Baccalaureate, I have done the whole year in such a way that I can have time to study, but also the necessary time allocated to football. The only thing to be is the city, I will probably go to college in Bucharest.

“My name is taken from the former Inter striker”

The newspaper will present the story of Adriano Manole in April 2025, after the kid, then 17 years old, had made his debut at FC Argeș in League 2. At that time, he was also talking about his parents' decision to baptize him Adriano:

“⁠My name is actually taken from Adriano, the former Brazilian striker of Inter.

My parents lived in Italy before I was born, and my father, a football fan, decided to name me after the striker who was in form at the time, playing for the team he supported, Inter Milan. And the name forced me to perform!

There is no doubt, everything is due to God, my parents, who supported me unconditionally and were by my side in the most difficult moments” testified Adriano Manole, a year ago.