Speaking to L’Équipe, 31-year-old Gabonese international defender Bruno Ecuele Manga explained his decision to quit Championship side Cardiff City for Ligue 1 club Dijon.
“I spent five marvellous years with Cardiff. I played in the Premier League, which was my dream. Leaving was not an easy thing, because they are a very good club, where I had a good relationship with the fans. But I felt that it was the right time to return to France. I had contacts with Dijon and the project convinced me. Notably the style of play. I spoke with the coach, he is counting on me too to help the young players. I am someone who is quite shy off the pitch. I will now have to grow into this role of a big brother and fulfil my responsibilities.”
On contacts with Rennes & Toulouse:
Yes they existed, but there was no concrete offer. The only one that I had was that from Dijon. I know that the club struggled to stave off relegation last season. I know the aim will be to stay up, and try to do that as soon as possible. Lots of players have left, others have arrived, and I’ve been told that there will be new signings soon. Didier Ndong, my team-mate in the national team, signed a few days ago. They asked me what I thought of him, I said he was a very good player, but I was not the one who signed him (laughs).
