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 managerMourinho dismissed by Roma in January 2024Pinto left the club shortly afterWHAT 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.
AdvertisementWHAT 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."
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."
(C)GettyImagesTHE 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.
