Roma’s new General Director, Tiago Pinto, was officially unveiled to the media today and held his first press conference since joining the club on the 1st of January.
The 36 year-old was appointed to the role in late-November by new owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin. Pinto spent the previous eight years with Benfica and admitted that while it was very difficult to leave, the Giallorossi’s new leadership convinced him of the role he could play at the club.
“Hello everyone, I’d like to respond to you in Italian, but I’m still studying to get to know the language better. I will answer in Portuguese to be clearer,” he began.
“I am very happy to be here and be very motivated. The first few days were not easy since I was in isolation at home. I spent my first day here at Trigoria yesterday and had a chance to chat with the staff and the manager.”
“The Italian journalists have done well so you already know my love story involving Benfica. Choosing to leave wasn’t simple but once Dan and Ryan Friedkin explained the project to me, they really motivated me and I realised the important role I could have here in making Roma a competitive team that’s capable of winning titles.”
Pinto also addressed supporter’s expectation and if there’s a timeline in place when it comes to winning silverwear.
”Nobody in football can draw up a calendar for victories. The ambition here is huge, this is a medium to long term project but the staff, manager, and everyone here must work to get better from the previous day, from the previous match. If we are able to do that, results and titles will come. The sustainability of a project is essential to win in the future and to doing so consistently.”
As for the roster, Pinto confirmed that one of their priorities includes renewing the contract of a number of key players, including Lorenzo Pellegrini, “He’s a player that embodies our project,” he said.
“He’s young, talented and is deeply connected to Rome. We will do our best to get the renewal done as soon as possible.”
When asked about the transfer market and the role that Vice President, Ryan Friedkin, will play when it comes to player recruitment, Pinto reiterated, “We’re a team here. Nobody is the superstar, we do things collaboratively.”
“I’ll be in close contact with the President and Vice President on a daily basis. I’m here to work in harmony and unison with everyone. I’m not here so that people can write, ‘Pinto was the one who carried out that transfer.’ This is a group, a team effort.”
“Our structure, though, won’t include a Sporting Director. I will oversee the entire sporting area of the club and work alongside my team.”
“For January, I don’t know how many operations we will carry out, but I promise you that I will be available to answer your questions about what we did or didn’t do on the market. I want to make what our ideas are very clear.”
