Cicerone Manolache
{{short description|Romanian footballer and manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Cicerone Manolache
| image = Cicerone Manolache.jpg
| caption =
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1936|5|16}}
| birth_place = Păunești, Romania
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2024|01|28|1936|5|16}}
| height = 1.76 m
| position = Forward
| youthyears1 = 1950–1957
| youthclubs1 = FCM Reșița
| years1 = 1957–1959
| clubs1 = FCM Reșița
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 1959–1965
| clubs2 = Știința Timișoara{{efn|name="STI"|The statistics for the 1959–60 and 1964–65 Divizia B seasons are not available.{{cite web |url=http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/players/4578/cicerone-manolache.htm |title=Cicerone Manolache |website=RomanianSoccer.ro |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100711/http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/players/4578/cicerone-manolache.htm |archive-date=21 February 2019}}}}
| caps2 = 94
| goals2 = 42
| years3 = 1965–1968
| clubs3 = Farul Constanța
| caps3 = 66
| goals3 = 10
| years4 = 1968–1969
| clubs4 = Politehnica Timișoara
| caps4 = 20
| goals4 = 9
| years5 = 1969–1970
| clubs5 = CFR Timișoara
| caps5 = 37
| goals5 = 12
| years6 = 1970–1971
| clubs6 = UM Timișoara
| caps6 = 6
| goals6 = 0
| totalcaps = 223
| totalgoals = 73
| nationalyears1 = 1962–1963
| nationalteam1 = Romania{{efn|name="ROM"|Including 3 appearances and 2 goals for Romania's Olympic team.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=12923|title=Cicerone Manolache|publisher=European Football|access-date=26 January 2021}}{{NFT player|id=37668}}}}
| nationalcaps1 = 7
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| manageryears1 = 1971–1972
| managerclubs1 = CFR Timișoara
| manageryears2 = 1972–1974
| managerclubs2 = CARA Brazzaville
| manageryears3 = 1974–1976
| managerclubs3 = Congo
| manageryears4 = 1976–1977
| managerclubs4 = UTA Arad
| manageryears5 = 1977–1978
| managerclubs5 = UM Timișoara
| manageryears6 = 1978–1979
| managerclubs6 = FCM Reșița
| manageryears7 = 1980–1981
| managerclubs7 = FCM Reșița
| manageryears8 = 1982
| managerclubs8 = Politehnica Timișoara
| manageryears9 = 1983–1984
| managerclubs9 = Libya
| manageryears10 = 2006
| managerclubs10 = AS Covaci
| manageryears11 = 2009–2016
| managerclubs11 = Agronomia Timișoara
}}
Cicerone "Cici" Manolache (16 May 1936 – 28 January 2024) was a Romanian footballer and manager who played as a forward and made four appearances for Romania's national team.{{WorldFootball.net|cicerone-manolache}}{{cite news |last=Biholari |first=Cornel |url=https://www.pressalert.ro/2016/06/manolache-ion-ionescu-80-de-ani/ |title=Jackie Ionescu și Cicerone Manolache, sărbătoriți de Fundația Politehnica la împlinirea unei vârste rotunde. "Nu avem două Poli, să risipim confuzia" |trans-title=Jackie Ionescu and Cicerone Manolache, celebrated by the Polytechnic Foundation at a rounded age. "We have two poles, to dispel confusion" |website=Pressalert.ro |date=23 June 2016 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100648/https://www.pressalert.ro/2016/06/manolache-ion-ionescu-80-de-ani/ |archive-date=21 February 2019}}
Club career
Manolache was born on 16 May 1936 in Păunești, Romania but when he was three years old, his family moved to Reșița, starting to play junior level football in 1950 at local club, FCM.{{cite news |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/cicerone-manolache-fost-selectioner-al-libiei-ne-a-dezvaluit-cum-s-a-razbunat-gaddafi-pe-teroristii-care-au-vrut-sa-l-ucida-565204 |title=Cicerone Manolache, fost selecţioner al Libiei, ne-a dezvăluit cum s-a răzbunat Gaddafi pe teroriştii care au vrut să-l ucidă |trans-title=Cicerone Manolache, Libya's former selector, revealed how Gaddafi avenged the terrorists who wanted to kill him |website=libertatea.ro |publisher=Libertatea |date=27 March 2011 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100655/https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/cicerone-manolache-fost-selectioner-al-libiei-ne-a-dezvaluit-cum-s-a-razbunat-gaddafi-pe-teroristii-care-au-vrut-sa-l-ucida-565204 |archive-date=21 February 2019}}{{cite news |last=Bocai |first=Marian |url=https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/povestile-savuroase-ale-fostului-mare-mijlocas-al-farului-cicerone-manolache-turnat-la-militie-pentru-spionaj-523713.html |title=Poveştile savuroase ale fostului mare mijlocaş al Farului: Cicerone Manolache, turnat la Miliţie pentru "spionaj cu porumbei" |trans-title=Delicious stories of the lighthouse was the great midfielder: Cicerone Manolache cast to the police for "spy pigeons" |website=ziuaconstanta.ro |publisher=ZIUA de Constanţa |date=6 December 2014 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100718/https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/povestile-savuroase-ale-fostului-mare-mijlocas-al-farului-cicerone-manolache-turnat-la-militie-pentru-spionaj-523713.html |archive-date=21 February 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sspolitehnica.ro/s-a-stins-si-cicerone-manolache-polistul-care-a-dat-gol-spaniei-si-a-cucerit-cupa-campionilor-africii/ |title=S-a stins și Cicerone Manolache, polistul care a dat gol Spaniei și a cucerit Cupa Campionilor Africii |trans-title=Cicerone Manolache, the footballer who scored Spain's goal and won the African Champions Cup, also died |publisher=Sspolitehnica.ro |date=28 January 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/clasat-pe-locul-4-in-divizia-a-cu-fc-farul-fostul-fotbalist-cicerone-manolache-a-implinit-84-de-ani-constanta-e-a-doua-mea-casa-galerie-foto-719695.html |title=Fostul fotbalist Cicerone Manolache a împlinit 84 de ani. "Constanța e a doua mea casă!" |trans-title=Former footballer Cicerone Manolache turned 84 years old. "Constanța is my second home!" |website=ziuaconstanta.ro |publisher=ZIUA de Constanţa |date=20 May 2020 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303032051/https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/clasat-pe-locul-4-in-divizia-a-cu-fc-farul-fostul-fotbalist-cicerone-manolache-a-implinit-84-de-ani-constanta-e-a-doua-mea-casa-galerie-foto-719695.html |archive-date=3 March 2021}} In 1957, he started to play senior level football for Reșița in Divizia B where he would spend two seasons, afterwards moving to Știința Timișoara in the same league, a team he helped earn promotion to Divizia A by scoring 18 goals in his first season. In the following season, Manolache made his Divizia A debut on 4 September 1960 in a 0–0 draw against Rapid București, being a constant appearance for four seasons, the highlights of this period being the 1962–63 season when he scored 15 goals and the team finished on the third place.{{cite news |url=https://www.pressalert.ro/2024/01/zile-negre-pentru-fotbalul-timisorean-murit-cicerone-manolache/ |title=Zile negre pentru fotbalul timișorean. A murit Cicerone Manolache |trans-title=Black days for Timisoara football. Cicero Manolache died |publisher=Pressalert.ro |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian}} In the 1963–64 season, Știința relegated back to Divizia B but Manolache stayed with the club, helping it promote back to the first league after one year by scoring 9 goals.
In 1965, Manolache went back to Divizia A football as he signed with Farul Constanța where he would stay for the following three seasons, the most successful one being the 1966–67 edition when with his six goals scored he helped the club finish on the fourth position. Afterwards he went to play for Politehnica Timișoara in Divizia B for one season, then moving to neighboring club CFR where he scored 12 goals in his first season, helping it gain promotion to Divizia A. In the following season, Manolache made his last Divizia A appearance on 28 November 1970, playing for CFR in a 2–0 home loss with Argeș Pitești, having a total of 171 matches with 52 goals scored in the competition.
He ended his career after spending one season at UM Timișoara in the second league.
International career
File:Echipa României (fotbal) 1963.jpg, Denmark (1963)}}]]
Manolache played four games at international level for Romania, making his debut under coach Gheorghe Popescu on 25 November 1962 in a 1964 European Nations' Cup qualification match against Spain, in which he gave an assist to Nicolae Tătaru's goal and he netted Romania's second goal in a 3–1 win.{{cite news |last=Bălulescu |first=Lavinia |url=https://adevarul.ro/news/societate/timisoara-cicerone-manolache-stat-aproape-diavolii-africani-1_50aca90a7c42d5a66387d412/index.html |title=Timişoara: Cicerone Manolache a stat aproape de "diavolii" africani |trans-title=Timișoara: Cicerone Manolache stood close to the African "devils" |website=adevarul.ro |publisher=Adevărul |date=12 May 2009 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100703/https://adevarul.ro/news/societate/timisoara-cicerone-manolache-stat-aproape-diavolii-africani-1_50aca90a7c42d5a66387d412/index.html |archive-date=21 February 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/s-a-stins-cicerone-manolache-eroul-victoriei-cu-spania-din-62-pasaje-memorabile-in-reportajul-publicat-de-gazeta-in-2009-de-fata-cu-ceausescu-m-am-ridicat-in-picioare-si-am-zis-asta-toti-au-ras-de-mine-728284.html |title=S-a stins Cicerone Manolache, eroul victoriei cu Spania din '62. Pasaje memorabile în reportajul publicat de Gazetă în 2009: "De față cu Ceaușescu, m-am ridicat în picioare și am zis asta. Toți au râs de mine" |trans-title=Cicerone Manolache, the hero of the victory with Spain in '62, died. Memorable passages in the report published by Gazeta in 2009: "Face to face with Ceaușescu, I stood up and said this. Everyone laughed at me" |publisher=Gsp.ro |date=28 January 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129021344/https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/s-a-stins-cicerone-manolache-eroul-victoriei-cu-spania-din-62-pasaje-memorabile-in-reportajul-publicat-de-gazeta-in-2009-de-fata-cu-ceausescu-m-am-ridicat-in-picioare-si-am-zis-asta-toti-au-ras-de-mine-728284.html |archive-date=29 January 2024}} Even though the qualification was lost as in the first leg Spain won 6–0, his performance was praised by the Spanish press:"Romania showed as a team of great character, led on the field by the kid Manolache, the "roller" in the center of the attack line". Manolache said about the game:"We played with fantastic determination. We were going headfirst into the counter, on the crampons, we didn't care about anything. Just to win, to erase the stain from the national team's coat of arms". His following three games were friendlies, the last one being a 0–0 draw against Turkey.
Manolache also played for Romania's Olympic team at the successful 1964 Summer Olympics qualifiers, scoring brace in a 3–2 win over Denmark, however he was not called up for the final tournament.{{cite news|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/cicerone-manolache-167735/|title=Cicerone Manolache profile|publisher=11v11|access-date=14 April 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/denmark-v-romania-23-june-1963-228445/|title=Denmark v Romania, 23 June 1963|publisher=11v11|access-date=14 April 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://sportm.ro/exclusiv-interviu-cicerone-manolache-cuceritorul-africii/ |title=Exclusiv: Interviu Cicerone Manolache, cuceritorul Africii |trans-title=Exclusive: Interview with Cicerone Manolache, conqueror of Africa |website=sportm.ro |publisher=Sport Magazin |date=10 December 2007 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100652/https://sportm.ro/exclusiv-interviu-cicerone-manolache-cuceritorul-africii/ |archive-date=21 February 2019}}
Managerial career
Manolache started coaching in 1971 at CFR Timișoara, leading the club for one year in Divizia B.{{cite news |url=https://www.ziuadevest.ro/cici-manolache-antrenorul-timisorean-care-a-scris-istorie-in-fotbalul-african-a-implinit-86-de-ani/ |title=Cici Manolache, antrenorul timișorean care a scris istorie în fotbalul african, a împlinit 86 de ani |trans-title=Cici Manolache, the coach from Timisoara who wrote history in African football, turned 86 |publisher=Ziuadevest.ro |date=17 May 2022 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian}} Afterwards he went to coach abroad in Congo at CARA Brazzaville with whom he won the only trophies of his career, the 1973 Congo Premier League and the 1974 African Cup of Champions Clubs.{{cite news |url=https://tikitaka.ro/cicerone-manolache/ |title=Cicerone Manolache, oameni din fotbal care ne-au părăsit în 2024|trans-title=Cicerone Manolache, football people who left us in 2024|publisher=Tikitaka.ro |date=|access-date=6 January 2025 |language=Romanian}} Following his performances with CARA, he was appointed head coach of Congo's national team, leading it in the 1976 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, eliminating Ivory Coast in the first round but not managing to reach the final tournament as they were defeated in the following round by Nigeria.{{cite news |last=Axinescu |first=Ionuț |url=http://theplaymaker.ro/romanii-care-au-antrenat-echipe-nationale-din-strainatate-inainte-de-90/892/ |title=Românii care au antrenat echipe naționale din străinătate înainte de '90 |trans-title=Romanians who trained national teams from abroad before the '90s |website=theplaymaker.ro |publisher=The Playmaker |date=11 January 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100724/http://theplaymaker.ro/romanii-care-au-antrenat-echipe-nationale-din-strainatate-inainte-de-90/892/ |archive-date=21 February 2019}} Afterwards, Manolache returned to his country, having his first experience as a coach in Divizia A, leading UTA Arad to a 12th place in the 1976–77 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.labtof.ro/profil/cicerone-manolache-6906/ |title=Cicerone Manolache |website=Labtof.ro |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100659/http://www.labtof.ro/profil/cicerone-manolache-6906/ |archive-date=21 February 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/divizia_a/tables/1976_77.shtml |title=Divizia A - Tables - Season 1976-77 |website=Romaniansoccer.ro |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115233041/https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/divizia_a/tables/1976_77.shtml |archive-date=15 November 2022}} In 1977 he went back to Divizia B, coaching UM Timișoara and FCM Reșița, at the latter having two spells.{{cite news |last=Daramus |first=Lucian |url=http://www.absport.ro/fotbal/istoria-derby-urilor-dintre-metalurgistul-cugir-si-fcm-resita/ |title=Istoria derby–urilor dintre Metalurgistul Cugir și FCM Reșița |trans-title=The history of the derby between Metalurgistul Cugir and FCM Reșița |website=AbSport.ro |date=2 October 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100707/http://www.absport.ro/fotbal/istoria-derby-urilor-dintre-metalurgistul-cugir-si-fcm-resita/ |archive-date=21 February 2019}} In 1982 he had his last Divizia A spell at Politehnica Timișoara when he was brought to replace Marcel Pigulea, having a total of 66 games as manager in the competition.{{cite news |url=https://evz.ro/cici-manolache-a-facut-istorie-in-fotbalul-african-414697.html |title=Cici Manolache a facut istorie in fotbalul african |trans-title=Cici Manolache has made history in African football |website=evz.ro |publisher=Evenimentul Zilei |date=12 October 2006 |access-date=21 February 2019 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221100644/https://evz.ro/cici-manolache-a-facut-istorie-in-fotbalul-african-414697.html |archive-date=21 February 2019}}
{{cite web | url=https://100sport.ro/2025/01/01/2024-si-decedatii-sai-din-fotbalul-intern-2/ | title=2024 și decedații săi din fotbalul intern| publisher=100sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=2024 and its domestic football deceased| date=1 January 2025 | access-date=6 January 2025}} In 1983, Manolache returned to Africa, leading Libya's national team until 1984, his spell ended because FIFA excluded Libya from all competitions for two years, due to not appearing in an away match with Egypt.{{cite news |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/ca-selectioner-al-libiei-cicerone-manolache-avea-un-salariu-de-2000-dar-statul-roman-oprea-1700-566067 |title=Ca selecţioner al Libiei, Cicerone Manolache avea un salariu de 2.000 $, dar statul român oprea 1.700 $ |trans-title=As the coach of Libya, Cicerone Manolache had a salary of $2,000, but the Romanian state withheld $1,700|publisher=Libertatea.ro |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian}}
From 1985 until 2016, Manolache worked for various clubs in the Romanian lower leagues, the last one being Agronomia Timișoara.
Personal life
Death
Manolache died on 28 January 2024 at age 87.{{cite news |url=https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/doliu-in-fotbal-a-murit-fostul-mare-jucator-cicerone-manolache-a-evoluat-cu-succes-si-la-farul-constanta-844634.html |title=A murit fostul mare jucător Cicerone Manolache. A evoluat cu succes și la Farul Constanța |trans-title=Former great player Cicerone Manolache has died. It also performed successfully at the Farul Constanța |website=ziuaconstanta.ro |publisher=ZIUA de Constanţa |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129164508/https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/doliu-in-fotbal-a-murit-fostul-mare-jucator-cicerone-manolache-a-evoluat-cu-succes-si-la-farul-constanta-844634.html |archive-date=29 January 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://sporttim.ro/fotbal/cicerone-manolache-plecat-la-ingeri |title=Cicerone Manolache, plecat la îngeri |trans-title=Cicerone Manolache, gone to the angels|publisher=Sporttim.ro |date=28 January 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=Romanian}}
Career statistics
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| colspan=3|Romania | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1962 | 2 | 1 |
| 1963 | 5 | 2 |
| Total | 7 | 3 |
=International goals=
{{hatnote|Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first.}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" | ||||||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | 25 November 1962 | Stadionul 23 August, Bucharest, Romania | {{fb|ESP|1945}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|3–1 | 1964 European Nations' Cup qualifiers |
| align="center"|2 | rowspan="2"|23 June 1963 | rowspan="2"|Idrætspark, Copenhagen, Denmark | rowspan="2"|{{fb|DEN}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center" rowspan="2"|3–2 | rowspan="2"|1964 Summer Olympics qualifiers |
| align="center"|3 | align="center"|3–2 |
Honours
=Player=
=Manager=
CARA Brazzaville
Notes
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{NFT player|37668}}
- [https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/players/4578/cicerone-manolache.htm Cicerone Manolache] at RomanianSoccer.ro
- {{Soccerway|cicerone-manolache/237820}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Cicerone Manolache managerial positions
|list1=
{{Congo national football team managers}}
{{Libya national football team managers}}
{{CSM Reșița managers}}
{{FC UTA Arad managers}}
{{FC Politehnica Timișoara managers}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manolache, Cicerone}}
Category:Sportspeople from Vrancea County
Category:Romanian men's footballers
Category:Olympic footballers for Romania
Category:Romania men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:FC Politehnica Timișoara players
Category:FCV Farul Constanța players
Category:CSF CFR Timișoara players
Category:Romanian football managers
Category:Romanian expatriate football managers
Category:Expatriate football managers in the Republic of the Congo
Category:Expatriate football managers in Libya
Category:Romanian expatriates in Libya
Category:Congo national football team managers
Category:FC Politehnica Timișoara managers