AFC Bournemouth appointed Tiago Pinto as managing director of professional football in May 2024. The move to the Premier League side came not so long after he left AS Roma.
Marca have been speaking to the Cherries official to discuss multiple topics related to the English club.
Prior to joining Bournemouth, Pinto spent three years at Benfica and three more with the Serie A side.
The 41-year-old had several offers to return to management after leaving Roma, however, he ended up joining Bournemouth because of owner Bill Foley.
Pinto says he immediately accepted a move to the Vitality Stadium after a conversation with the American businessman.
“I had offers from big clubs in other countries, but my priority was to work in the Premier League. The meeting with the owner, Bill Foley, made all the difference. He made a great impression on me and convinced me to come almost immediately,” he said.
Foley also owns Hibernian, Auckland FC, Moreirense FC [majority shareholder] and FC Lorient [minority shareholder]. Marca explain he identified Pinto as a ‘key player’ for his group, Black Knight Football Club UK Limited.
“We’re a small organisation, and that makes managing the multi-club structure easier. There isn’t too much bureaucracy. Right now, for example, Simon Francis [Technical Director] and I are working to create a connection between the different scouting departments,” Pinto explained.
Bournemouth’s results have improved after Andoni Iraola’s arrival in June 2023. He’s in his final year of contract. Last weekend, the manager responded to claims of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United interest.
Bournemouth structure helps prioritise players
The Cherries also had a positive net spend of around €160m last summer. Pinto credits the club’s owner as one of the reasons for this.
“Our success has three components. The first is the owner. Bill Foley is very intelligent and ambitious. A leader like that inspires everyone,” he added.
“Secondly, despite being a small club, I would highlight our structure. We have great professionals in recruitment, the medical department. This allows us to dedicate time to the players’ well-being that bigger clubs don’t have. The third, and for me perhaps the most important, is Andoni Iraola.”
