Being a chief executive for José Mourinho sounds like a wild ride. Just ask Guido Fienga, who used to be the CEO at AS Roma. He recently opened up to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. Fienga said working with a coach who constantly argues with referees and the league is "like being a firefighter in California." That’s quite a picture, isn’t it? It gives you a good idea of the constant pressure and drama surrounding "The Special One."
Fienga shared stories from when Mourinho first joined the Italian club in the summer of 2021. He had plenty of good things to say about Mourinho. He praised his intelligence and talent. But Fienga also pointed out how tough it is to run a team with a coach who has such a big personality. He remembers one of their very first games. The team collected four red cards. "That was a proper Mourinho welcome," Fienga chuckled, looking back. He figures his good relationship with Mourinho might be because they didn’t work together for too long. He was the one who brought Mourinho to Roma, and they only worked side-by-side for a few months. Still, they kept in touch.
There’s a great story Fienga tells about his departure from AS Roma. He decided it was time to move on. Mourinho approached him and said, "Guido, there are only two alpha males in this club, and now one of them is leaving." Fienga’s quick reply? "Good for you." He believes this honest, direct approach is part of why they stayed on good terms. Fienga has more to say about Mourinho, but he keeps it close to his chest. He joked that he can’t reveal everything because of both their reputations.
When asked to sum up José Mourinho in just three words, Fienga had a couple ready. "Super intelligent," he started. Then, "talented at what he does." But for the third word, he paused. "The third word I cannot say," he finished with a smile, leaving everyone guessing.
Mourinho stayed at AS Roma for two and a half seasons. During his time there, he guided the team to victory in the very first Conference League tournament in the 2021-22 season. The following year, he led them all the way to the Europa League final. They fought hard but ultimately lost on penalties to Sevilla. It was a period of highs and lows, a true reflection of the "Mourinho style" Fienga described.