Few figures in modern football stir as much intrigue as Jose Mourinho, and former Roma CEO Guido Fienga has now opened up about what it was like to work alongside the Portuguese manager.
Fienga, who led the Italian club for nearly three years, was at the helm when Mourinho arrived in 2021, and he has shared candid reflections on their brief but memorable collaboration.
A Short but Intense Partnership
Although Mourinho’s tenure at Roma under Fienga lasted just four months, it left a lasting impression.
“Three words to describe him? Super intelligent, skilled at his job, but I can’t say the third one,” Fienga told Thriving Minds via Gazzetta.
He added that Mourinho has a surprisingly humorous side in private, a contrast to his intense public persona.
Fienga recounted an early match under Mourinho where Roma received four red cards—a chaotic “welcome” to the manager’s fiery style.
Despite the challenges, Fienga emphasizes the respect he holds for Mourinho, partly because their time together was short enough to avoid long-term friction.
Balancing Firefighting and Leadership
Being CEO while managing a coach like Mourinho is no easy feat.
“For a CEO, working with a coach who is constantly clashing with referees and the league is like being a firefighter in California,” Fienga said.
Yet he praised Mourinho’s intelligence and skill, noting that much of what he could share must remain unsaid to protect both their reputations.
When Fienga decided to leave Roma in October 2021, Mourinho’s response highlighted their mutual respect.
“‘Guido, there are only two alpha males in this club and now one is leaving,’ he told me,” Fienga recalled.
“I replied: ‘Good for you.’ That’s why we’ve maintained a good relationship ever since.”
Mourinho’s Legacy at Roma
Mourinho eventually spent two-and-a-half years at Roma before being sacked in January 2024 following a string of poor results.
However, his achievements were significant.
He led the team to the Europa Conference League title in 2022, defeating Feyenoord to claim the club’s first European trophy since 1961.
He also guided Roma to the Europa League final in the 2022-23 season, where they were narrowly beaten by Sevilla on penalties, cementing his reputation for delivering on the continental stage.
The Next Chapter: Turkey and Beyond
After Roma, Mourinho took the reins at Fenerbahce in June 2024.
His stint in Turkey lasted just over a year, ending last month after failing to secure a place in the Champions League group stage.
Despite the challenges, Fienga’s reflections show that working with Mourinho, even briefly, leaves a lasting impact on those in his orbit.
A Lasting Connection
Even after moving on to Al-Nassr in September 2023, Fienga maintains contact with Mourinho.
Their short partnership may have been intense, but it was enough to forge a connection based on mutual respect and admiration—proof that in football, even fleeting collaborations can leave a lasting mark.