Bournemouth’s Managing Director of Professional Football Tiago Pinto has revealed how owner Bill Foley convinced him to join the club in 2024.
Rivista Andesi today had an interview with the 41-year-old. He discusses various aspects of life at Bournemouth, including his relationship with Foley.
The American businessman is the owner and chairman of Chery after completing the acquisition in 2022.
Bournemouth is now one of several clubs under his leadership. Their network also includes FC Lorient, Auckland FC and Moreirance FC.
Bournemouth Development
His ownership has seen rapid growth for the Cherries, particularly under manager Andoni Ierola. Sport Witness has already covered Pinto’s feelings about him today.
He was the first big-ticket player to join the club in 2023, with Pinto making the move a year later.
He is in charge of the club’s wider football strategy and multi-club network. His arrival was part of a wider boardroom structure following Richard Hughes’ departure to Liverpool.
He joins Bournemouth after previous roles as Director of Football at Benfica and Sporting Director at Roma. And this was largely due to Foley, who completely convinced Pinto to take on his new role.
“In February 2024, I left Roma, and in the next three or four months, I wanted to rest a bit and refresh,” he said.
“Bournemouth CEO Neil Blake, who I was in touch with when we had talks with Vina and Justin Kluivert, called me to ask if I would be interested in a conversation. My first conversation was with him, the second with Bill.
“That video call with Foley is something I will never forget. After 10-15 minutes of conversation he said, “You know, Tiago, I don’t know much about football, but I understand a lot about people. I have no doubt that you are the right person.”
“Maybe he said that to convince me, I don’t know, but it felt so real that I said to myself, “Okay, let’s try it.”
Positive Bournemouth Relationship
Pinto and Foley have clearly had a positive relationship, with Bournemouth going from strength to strength under his guidance. At least it can be said that he is a fan of the American.
“It’s hard not to love his attitude and the way he interacts with us and the players,” he said.
“It’s something that comes from his background, his military experience and his hockey past, where he built a winning team. It protects him from the same problems as other owners who don’t understand the dynamics of the dressing room.
“He understands that, sometimes, players who don’t look technically brilliant can be vital to the balance of the team.”
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