Sports

“A coach who knows what it's like in the locker room and on the bench”

Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published on Friday, 05 June 2026 20:32 / Updated on Friday, 05 June 2026 20:43

Cornel Dinu (77 years old), his former great player and coach Dinamocommented on the parting with Zeljko Kopic and indicated the man he sees suitable for the technical bench of the “dogs”.

The “prosecutor” supports Adrian Mihalcea, a coach he says has the necessary experience to manage the pressure from Dinamo.

The separation from Kopic was made official on Friday, after almost three years spent on the bench of the formation from “Ștefan cel Mare”.

Cornel Dinu sees Adrian Mihalcea at Dinamo

Asked who should take over the team after the departure of the Croatian technician, Dinu had only one name on the list among the Romanians.

“I think there is such an opportunity and for him to be a coach who knows the experiences of the locker room and the bench, and for me he is Adi Mihalcea. He saved some teams and created good football both in Slobozia and in Arad, not having special conditions”, said Dinu on the show “Fotbal Show” from Prima Sport.

Adrian Mihalcea, on the set of GSP Live

Cornel Dinu: “Dinamo is in the hands of Venetians from other fields”

Cornel Dinu believes that Dinamo is led by people who do not feel the football phenomenon.

“I have already said what is happening at Dinamo: it is in the hands of some Venetians from other fields. They managed, through Renovațio, to save the period from the Negoiță era, but they are not football people and they do not take things further.

They had messages of sensitivity, probably for one of their parents to take over Dinamo and bring the team somewhat close to the results of the past, but unfortunately they failed to create a professional structure in terms of competence and to be surrounded by people with football culture and who know what it means to live at Dinamo.

Kopic has been an infusion of competence from many angles, being the main craftsman of the team's upliftment. It is certain that something intervened, maybe a schism between him and those who decide at Dinamo or maybe he had a more tempting offer and then he left. It is a combination of the two aspects“, the “Prosecutor” continued.

The former international is of the opinion that Dinamo could not achieve much more in the current formula and believes that the lack of a decisive striker was seen in the important matches.

“I think he got the most out of this batch. I think that if he had a striker to count on in the dispute with FCSB, with Steaua, the outcome probably would not have been a failure. But it is difficult to penetrate his judgments. Croats are generally performance football, Yugoslav people.”

Cornel Dinu, harsh criticism at Dinamo: “There is a lack of competence in decisions”

Dinu also spoke to the source cited above about the problems he sees at the administrative level and believes that Dinamo did not have people with enough football experience next to Kopic.

“Dinamo didn't have an operative administrative management with a technical ability alongside Kopic to take some measures in accordance with the team's problems and from this point of view I think the moment is delicate, because the choice of a coach is made according to the ability that the team has.”

Asked about the players who caught his eye, Dinu said:

“Boateng, Cîrjan in a certain period and maybe Stoinov. I also have appreciation for the young players that Dinamo, Duțu, Ţarbă have, but unfortunately there is a total lack of competence in decisions, I mean Nicolescu and those named aroundwho do not have a football past like others, such as Mihai Stoica. He grew up with performance teams from a young age, he has extensive experience at Steaua (no. FCSB) and a competence that cannot be ignored.”

Ashley Davis

I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button