Adrian Mutu: ‘Fiorentina is a part of me, I would have loved to play alongside Kean’

Former Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu, now 45, recently shared his thoughts with Gazzetta dello Sport on his beloved club, the upcoming match against Inter Milan, and his future aspirations in coaching. The Romanian star, who left an indelible mark on Fiorentina’s history, spoke with passion about his enduring connection to the club and the city of Florence.

Mutu’s allegiance to Fiorentina remains unwavering, despite his past with Inter Milan. “Fiorentina is a part of me. One day I’ll return as a coach,” he declared, emphasizing his deep-rooted affection for the club. When discussing the upcoming Fiorentina-Inter match, Mutu didn’t hesitate to show his true colors: “I am and will always be a Fiorentina fan. I’m grateful to Inter for bringing me to Italy, but honestly, there’s no comparison…”

Regarding the match against Inter, Mutu sees it as a clash at the top, expressing surprise at Fiorentina’s current standing. He acknowledges Inter’s experience in high-pressure games but warns against underestimating Fiorentina’s enthusiasm. “It will be a top-level challenge. Who would have thought this at the beginning of the year? The Inter players are more accustomed to playing in matches where they feel the pressure, but we must not underestimate the enthusiasm of the Viola.”

Mutu believes Fiorentina can dream big this season, with Champions League qualification within reach. However, he cautions fans to maintain realistic expectations and continuous support: “The team can dream… but they must have continuity. You can’t expect them to win every match. So I tell the fans: always support the team without having exaggerated expectations.”

The former striker praised the current Fiorentina squad, particularly highlighting Moise Kean’s performance. “He’s finding space and confidence, which he lacked in recent years in Turin,” Mutu observed. He playfully mused about how he and Kean might have performed together: “Let’s say a lot. I’m more of a number ten; he’s more of a pure nine. We would have had fun.”

When asked about other talents in Serie A, Mutu singled out Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz as a player with immense potential: “He has great talent and vast room for improvement. He’s young and has all the time ahead of him.” He also expressed admiration for his compatriot Dennis Man, whom he coached in the Under-21 team: “He has incredible potential. He dominated in Serie B and started well in Serie A, but we must be careful not to make hasty judgments.”

As he transitions into his coaching career, Mutu reflects on the influential managers he’s worked under, including Lippi, Prandelli, Capello, and Mourinho. “I’ve been managed by Capello, Lippi and Malesani,” he noted. “But the one who has inspired me most has been Prandelli. Now, as a manager, I understand better some of his speeches at the time and I see that he was right on many things.”

Mutu’s love for Florence and Fiorentina remains as strong as ever. “The city is unique. I find it more beautiful every time I visit,” he said, reiterating his dream of returning to coach the team one day: “Managing Fiorentina would be a dream.” His words reflect not just nostalgia but a genuine connection that has endured long past his playing days, promising an exciting future chapter in his relationship with the club.

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