Former Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto opened up on his challenges alongside Jose Mourinho, suggesting the former Roma boss was difficult.
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- "Demanding" to function with legendary manager
- Mourinho dismissed by Roma in January 2024
- Pinto left the club shortly after
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mourinho endured a turbulent two-and-a-half-year spell in Italy. He led the club to two European finals – and ended an 11-year trophy drought, though he also made headlines for his touchline antics, fractious relationship with the club, and high-profile clashes with referees.
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WHAT TIAGO PINTO SAID ABOUT MOURINHO
Pinto, who consistently clashed with his manager in his press, spoke to about Mourinho's tenure in Italy: "Don’t get me wrong, when you work with a man with such a huge profile, it’s demanding. And he is demanding because he has achieved so much and has high standards. Don’t forget that I’m Portuguese and I started to work with him when I was 36. For a young sporting director to work normally with Mourinho, it’s not possible. I learned a lot from him. He’s one of the most important managers in the history of football."
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WHAT PINTO SAID ABOUT LEAVING ROMA
Pinto also admitted he found it difficult to leave the club: "When I left Roma I thought a lot about it and I just felt it was the right time, the end of a cycle. But when I made my decision everyone close to me said: ‘Knowing you like we do, I doubt you will be at peace after two weeks’. I think they were probably right."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mourinho struggled through the first half of the 2023-24 season. The Giallorossi hovered above the relegation in September, and although the manager dragged the club up to ninth, a series of poor results saw him sacked on January 16.
