Nicolae Manea (11 March 1954 – 15 December 2014) was a Romanian football player and manager.

Life and career

Manea was born in Bucharest. He joined Rapid București at the age of 12 and played there professionally from 1973 to 1980 and again from 1981 to 1987. He had a short stint with Steaua București in 1980 and ended his career playing for Gloria Bistrița in the late 80s. He scored both of Rapid's goals in the 2–1 victory against Universitatea Craiova in the 1975 Cupa României final.

International career

Nicolae Manea played one game for Romania when coach Ștefan Kovács used him in a friendly which ended 2–2 against Iran, played on Aryamehr Stadium from Tehran.

Coaching career

He coached Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Unirea Dej, Bihor Oradea, Rapid București (several times), Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț, FC Brașov, Gloria Bistrița, Corona Brașov and the Romanian national under-21 football team.

Death

He was diagnosed with liver cancer at the beginning of 2014. He died on 15 December 2014, in Bucharest.

Honours

Player

Rapid București Gloria Bistrița

Manager

Rapid București