'Like being a firefighter in California' - What it's like to work with Jose Mourinho as former Roma CEO explains 'great challenge' posed by the Special One

Outspoken Portuguese tactician Mourinho can be a handful for board members, match officials and playing staff. He has never been one to bite his tongue and likes nothing more than forging an “us against the world” mentality.

That approach has delivered considerable success across spells with the likes of Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter and Manchester United. Mourinho is, however, out of work at present after being relieved of his duties at Fenerbahce.

He raged against officiating in Turkey on a regular basis across his time there, with there seemingly always somebody for him to pick a fight with. Keeping him under control is no easy task for those working directly above him in the chain of command.

At Roma, that was - for a few months at least - Guido Fienga. He has told Gazzetta dello Sport of his relationship with one of the most charismatic figures in world football: “Three words to describe him? Super intelligent, skilled at his job, but I can’t say the third one!

“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, who left Roma in October 2021 shortly after Mourinho’s arrival, added: “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.

“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.”

Mourinho, who is 62 years of age, is seeing a return to English football speculated on. Several Premier League sides - including West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds - have been linked with moves for the Portuguese should they decide to make a change in the dugout.