Football: Adrian Mutu, the new manager of FC Dinamo Bucharest

Former footballer Adrian Mutu has signed on Wednesday a contract with FC Dinamo’s main shareholder Ionut Negoita, according to which he is appointed general manager of the football club.

“I am glad that Adrian Mutu is, as of today, part of our club and I am convinced his experience in international football will bring along a new standard for domestic and European performance,” Ionut Negoita said after signing the deal.

In his turn, Adrian Mutu said: “It is an honour for me that Dinamo has offered me the chance to start in such an important position. I want to thank Mr. Negoita for giving me this huge challenge for my career. I hope to reward this confidence with good results expected by our supporters.”

Mutu started his career in Romania, playing two years for FC Argeș Pitești and half a year for Dinamo Bucharest, before joining Internazionale Milan through the 1999–2000 Serie A. After only 10 games there he left for Verona and then Parma, for which he scored 39 goals in the next three years. His excellent form brought him a EUR 22.5 million transfer to Chelsea London. Due to breach of contract for failing a (recreational) drug test, he was released and returned to Serie A to join Juventus. After the 2006 Italian football scandal and the relegation of Juventus to Serie B, Mutu decided to join Fiorentina, where he played consistently for five years. He then had a season at Cesena and French club Ajaccio before returning to Romania with FC Petrolul Ploiești in 2014. In April 2013, Mutu announced his intention to retire from football at the end of the 2013–14 season.

His career has included setbacks including two long suspensions for failed drugs tests.