Former Roma CEO describes Mourinho: ‘Can’t say the third word’ | OneFootball

Former Roma CEO Guido Fienga admits it was not easy to work alongside José Mourinho, but still has an excellent relationship with the Portuguese: ‘I have many things to say, but I can’t, for both our reputations.’

Fienga spent several years at Roma and was in charge when the Giallorossi surprisingly appointed Mourinho in 2021.

“Three words to describe him? Super intelligent, skilled at his job, but I can’t say the third one,” Fienga told Thriving Minds with Alberto Zandi via Gazzetta.

Ex-Roma director opens up about working with Mourinho

“In private, he’s very funny. It’s a great challenge to be Mourinho’s CEO, but it wasn’t for long. In one of the first matches, we received four red cards, it was a nice welcome to Mourinho’s style. I have a good relationship with him. Probably because I didn’t work with him for very long. I only brought him to Roma and worked a few months together, but we’re still in touch a lot.”

Fienga left Roma in October 2021, just a few months after Mourinho’s appointment. Fienga then joined Al-Nassr, where he remained from September 2023 to December 2024.

“When I decided to leave Roma, Mou came to me and said, ‘Guido, there are only two alpha males in this club and now one is leaving.’ I replied: ‘Good for you.’ That’s why I’ve maintained a good relationship with him,” Fienga added.

“For a CEO, working with a coach who is constantly clashing with referees and the league is like being a firefighter in California. But Mourinho is very intelligent and skilled. I have many things to say, but I can’t, for both our reputations.”

Fienga faced many challenging moments during his Roma spell, including when the Giallorossi decided against extending Daniele De Rossi’s contract in 2019.

Fienga under police protection for four months

Guido Fienga (left) and Mauro Baldissoni.

“Two weeks after my appointment, I decided to confirm the decision, which had already been taken by the ownership, not to renew De Rossi’s contract,” he said.

“Two days later, there were 7,000 people under my office who wanted to kill me. I was under police protection for four months. I’ll let you imagine the kind of reception I got. Then I continued to run the club with complete transparency, explaining to the fans that our roles are different. Everyone wants to achieve success, but their job is to be fans and my job is to be the CEO.”

After a tumultuous 2024-25 season, during which Roma had three coaches —De Rossi, Ivan Juric, and Claudio Ranieri —the Giallorossi appointed Gian Piero Gasperini as their new manager for the 2025-26 season.

The Italian tactician led Roma to winning the opening two games of the season against Bologna and newly-promoted Serie A side Pisa.