Bournemouth’s Managing Director of Professional Football, Tiago Pinto, has revealed how owner Bill Foley convinced him to join the club in 2024.
Rivista Undici have an interview with the 41-year-old today. He discusses various aspects of life at Bournemouth, including his relationship with Foley.
The American businessman is the owner and chairman of the Cherries after completing a takeover in 2022.
Bournemouth are now one of several clubs under his leadership. His network also includes FC Lorient, Auckland FC and Moreirense FC.
Bournemouth growth
His ownership has seen rapid growth for the Cherries, particularly under manager Andoni Iraola. Sport Witness have already covered Pinto’s feelings about him today.
He was the first major arrival at the club, joining in 2023, with Pinto making the move a year later.
He’s in charge of the club’s wider football strategy and multi-club network. His arrival was part of a broader boardroom structure following the departure of Richard Hughes to Liverpool.
He joined Bournemouth after previous roles as Director of Football at Benfica and Sporting Director at Roma. And it was largely due to Foley, who fully convinced Pinto into his new role.
“In February 2024, I had just left Roma, and in the next three or four months, I wanted to rest a bit and recharge,” he said.
“Bournemouth CEO Neill Blake, with whom I’d been in touch when we negotiated Viña and Justin Kluivert, called me to ask if I’d be interested in a chat. I had the first chat with him, the second with Bill.
“There’s something about that video call with Foley that I’ll never forget. After a 10–15-minute chat, he said, “You know, Tiago, I don’t know much about football, but I understand a lot about people. I have no doubt you’re the right person.”
“Maybe he said it to convince me, I don’t know, but it seemed so genuine that I said to myself, “Okay, let’s give it a try.”
Positive Bournemouth relationships
Pinto and Foley have clearly had a positive relationship since, with Bournemouth going from strength to strength under their guidance. He’s a fan of the American, to say the least.
“It’s hard not to fall in love with his attitude and the way he interacts with us and the players,” he added.
“It’s something that comes from his background, his military experience, and his hockey past, where he built a winning team. This prevents him from having the same problems typical of other owners who don’t understand dressing room dynamics.
“He understands that, sometimes, players who don’t seem technically fantastic can be crucial to the balance of the team.”