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- Tiago Pinto left Roma in February after Mourinho was sacked by the club
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Former Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto has revealed it was ‘not possible’ to work under Jose Mourinho, but called the Portuguese ‘one of the most important managers in the history of football’.
Mourinho is currently out of work after being sacked by Roma in January following a dismal run of form in the league and European campaigns.
The 61-year-old has taken time away from football by appearing ringside for Anthony Joshua’s recent heavyweight defeat to Francis Ngannou and taking part in the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia.
Roma have since played under Daniele De Rossi, with the club legend winning eight of the 11 games he has overseen since replacing Mourinho.
Pinto was Roma’s sporting director for three years before leaving his post in February. Now he has put the tensions of working alongside Mourinho behind him.
Former Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto has revealed the ‘demanding’ nature of working under Jose Mourinho
Mourinho was sacked by Roma in January after a dismal run of form in Serie A
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Commenting on his experience at the Italian top team, Pinto said INews: ‘Don’t get me wrong, when you work with a man with such a high profile, it is 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 working with him when I was 36. It is not possible for a young sporting director to work normally with Mourinho.
‘I learned a lot from him. He is one of the most important managers in the history of football,” he added.
Mourinho has previously expressed his love for Roma after ending the club’s 11-year trophy drought and rewarding them with a first European title by winning the UEFA Conference League two years ago.
Pinto and Mourinho worked together during the ex-sporting directors’ three-year spell at the club
Roma have improved immensely since Mourinho was sacked from his role at the club
The former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man United manager is eager to get back into club management and has been tipped for a return to England.
Pinto could also be on his way to the English top flight after being linked with the replacement of outgoing director Dan Ashworth, who is set to join Man United.
The 36-year-old further explained how he highlighted the decision to resign from Roma, adding: ‘When I left Roma I thought about it a lot and I felt that this was the right time, it end of a cycle. .
“But when I made my decision, everyone around me said, ‘Knowing you like this, I doubt you’ll be at peace after two weeks.’ I think they were probably right.”