Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto revealed he was not satisfied with the January transfer window and called the Nicolo Zaniolo situation ‘difficult to handle’.
The 23-year-old Italian forward tried to force through a move away from the club last month, missing two consecutive games as he hoped for Milan to agree a deal. The Rossoneri couldn’t find common ground with Roma, and Zaniolo initially rejected Bournemouth before changing his mind too late, leaving him in the Italian capital.
Zaniolo is now in the process of completing a definitive move to Galatasaray, closing the chapter on his time with Roma.
Speaking in a press conference, Tiago Pinto first discussed if Roma ever thought Jose Mourinho might leave and if he was satisfied with the figures behind Zaniolo’s sale.
“Obviously we were aware of what was happening, and we were pleased that he decided to continue because it means he believes a lot in the project.
“On Zaniolo it’s normal that I thought I could get more money, a week ago we had a higher offer but then after everything that happened we considered this solution which is not bad.
“I am never completely happy, but I have doubts that we could have done better.”
He was asked about his relationship with Mourinho and if the Giallorossi squad is able to play every three days.
“People always look for conflict between me and Mourinho, in reality we work for the good of Roma. This press conference will not create disagreements, we work for the same team. Roma play every three days and I’ll say this, it’s no coincidence that the champion of Italy is the one who came out of Europe.
“Speaking as an Italian, I think we have a lot of work to do on the calendar to protect those who play in Europe. Let’s see what happens with Atalanta and Fiorentina when they don’t play in Europe, this issue goes beyond Roma’s squad. Italy is a competitive league, it’s not easy to play with 20 teams.
“We often have European games that create problems for us. None of us can say that we have the players we have, we all know the stakes we have. The players signed have always had the coach’s opinion, but neither Tiago Pinto nor Mourinho have all the players they want, we can’t do this kind of market.
“I’m not afraid of you and I take responsibility for those who have not done well at Roma. The players who have been signed so far and have not done well are 100% my fault. We have the stakes that you all know, we try to do the best job possible, if things go wrong, I take responsibility.
“I have different visions from you in some circumstances, some have four or five year prospects, but you make assessments every weekend. You talk about Vina and Shomurodov, they are my responsibility.”
The Roma sporting director revealed he was not satisfied with the January transfer window.
“No. I felt the other years the team had improved, I can’t say the same now because we lost three players and got two. We trust in Wijnaldum’s recovery, I take responsibility and I’m not saying what I’ve said in the past.
“I have to say that Zaniolo was a difficult situation to handle, with the goalposts we have the solution was there and it could have pleased everyone, but we didn’t manage to do things the way we wanted to. With the stakes we have to cover, the market session has become difficult.
“Solbakken? I am very sorry because the FFP thing is no joke, I don’t want to hide and say that it is important for the sustainability of the club, and it is difficult to do the market like that. With what Bournemouth’s offer was, we could have done a big market to strengthen the team, but we couldn’t do it.
“There are things I could not change, but I want to be objective, and I am not satisfied with the market. As I’ve always said, the market has a 20-30% importance, I trust the coach, the technical staff and the players, we have the conditions to do well.”
Tiago Pinto confirmed that Roma would’ve signed someone had Zaniolo accepted Bournemouth’s offer.
“Yes, but I won’t say who out of respect. We tried to do everything on a tight deadline, then Nicolò decided to leave and there were 15 days left.
“I don’t want to talk about Zaniolo all press conference, he was loved in the city but he decided to leave and things were settled.”
He touched on Chris Smalling and Stephan El Shaarawy’s contract renewal talks with the club.
“On El Shaarawy I’d say he is doing well, they are two different situations. Smalling has the right until May to decide what to do, with Stephan we decide.
“They’re doing well, we have contact with Smalling’s agent to continue together, but I think everyone understands that the market is over today and we have time to sort things out, without forgetting that the word is with the player.
“It’s not just our responsibility, everyone has been clear because the idea is to continue together, let’s see what will happen.”
The Roma sporting director commented on the club’s strategy for the coming seasons.
“For a sporting director it’s easier to get players, for my image it’s not easy to always talk about stakes or FFP, but I don’t want to hide. I have no doubt that in three or four years Roma will be more solid and will have a different power, but we have to make this path and there is no other way. W
“Then when I talk about FFP it’s not that I want to justify my job, when I leave Roma I want to be sure that I leave in the best possible way. We are third in the table, but we have to continue on this path.
“In Italy nothing was done in January, it’s an issue in Italian football and it’s difficult to compete with the Premier League. It will always be difficult to do better than other clubs, just think that the team from 10th place down has more economic power than any other in Italy.
“I am confident in the work with Roma and UEFA, we will have a competitive team in the Champions League and they will choose who they want to take, but that is how it is now.”
He was asked if Mourinho was aware of his feelings on this topic.
“He is the first to make these considerations and he is the first to say all this when you want to spark conflict between us.
“These stakes we have to follow, I don’t want to talk about Zaniolo but the rejection to Bournemouth is a situation that put us in difficulty, we have to achieve certain goals and, if he had accepted, we were closer to our objectives.
“I think we’re managing to reach this plan with UEFA, then in the middle of the pitch we’re doing well. It’s not that we have won the Scudetto, but we haven’t won anything either. I don’t want to look for excuses, I’m here for the good of Roma and when I leave Roma will be in a better situation.”
Tiago Pinto provided an update on outcast Rick Karsdorp.
“Shortly we will understand this situation better, he has stayed here and Mourinho has spoken a little publicly about it. Roma’s interest is more important, we will soon understand that he will be available.”
He was asked if Roma are lacking some options on the wings.
“On that role we had Celik, Zalewski, Spinazzola, Karsdorp, Vina, El Shaarawy. We play with a different system, in that space there is Dybala, Pellegrini, Solbakken, Volpato, I don’t think we are lacking out wide.
“Vina was a player who could give us a hand, then to regain his market value and strengthen the team, we managed to send him out on loan and get a defender who can rebalance the team.”
Finally, Tiago Pinto spoke about Mourinho’s meeting with the Roma management and if there’s fears that he’ll leave should the club miss out on the Champions League.
“I must point out that the ownership has taken over the club for two and a half years and they have made many investments to make Roma more solid and strong. They have always said that they think about working rather than talking, I can’t criticise them.
“When I speak, I do it because I am obliged but we also have a duty to explain what we do. On Mourinho I don’t remember him saying he asked for a meeting, we talk often and it’s not like Mourinho is just any coach who needs to ask for a meeting.
“I repeat, I understand that this is a topic you are trying to extrapolate, but the relationship between us should be discussed elsewhere.
“The subject of the Champions League? Neither Mourinho nor I need extra pressure, we all know it’s different playing it and not playing it. We do the maths at the end of the season, I don’t want to say 100% one thing happens if we go in the Champions League or not, there are many things in between.
“We’re sorry about the Coppa Italia, but I think we’re doing well, I don’t think we need extra pressure for the players. It’s not like that.”