In the high-stakes theatre of professional football, the roar of the crowd can quickly turn into a furious gale. Few understand this better than Guido Fienga, the former CEO of AS Roma, who recently pulled back the curtain on a period so intense it saw him under police escort, facing death threats — all sparked by an executive decision concerning a beloved club legend.
The Unthinkable Decision: De Rossi`s Departure
The year was 2019, and the air in Rome was thick with anticipation and adoration for Daniele De Rossi, a quintessential Romanista, a warrior who bled Giallorossi colours. His contract was nearing its end, and the decision on its renewal loomed large. For Guido Fienga, newly appointed as CEO, the path forward had been set by the club`s ownership: De Rossi`s contract would not be renewed.
Such decisions are never simple, especially when they involve icons. De Rossi wasn`t just a player; he was a symbol, a son of Rome, whose departure felt like a betrayal to a significant portion of the fanbase. What followed was a maelstrom that escalated beyond anything a typical corporate executive might ever anticipate.
“When we decided not to renew De Rossi`s contract, everything happened,” Fienga recalled in a recent interview. “Under my office, 7,000 people were ready for anything. I spent four months under police escort.”
Imagine the scene: a sea of red and yellow, chants turning to threats, the very ground shaking with collective outrage. For an executive accustomed to boardroom negotiations and financial statements, this was a stark, visceral reminder of football`s unique blend of sport and tribal loyalty. The line between passionate support and outright hostility blurred dramatically, leading to an environment where a management decision could genuinely endanger personal safety.
Life Under Siege: Four Months of Scrutiny
The idea of a football club CEO requiring police protection over a player`s contract seems almost absurd, a darkly ironic twist on corporate responsibility. Yet, for Fienga, it was a very real, four-month-long reality. This wasn`t merely disgruntled murmuring; these were tangible threats that necessitated a level of security usually reserved for political figures or high-profile criminals. It was a bizarre testament to the fervent, almost spiritual connection between Roman fans and their club, where legends are immortalized, and their perceived mistreatment can provoke a fury usually reserved for genuine injustices.
Through it all, Fienga maintains he operated with transparency, endeavouring to communicate the club’s rationale. “I continued to manage the club with full transparency, explaining to the fans that our roles are different: everyone wants to achieve success, but they have to be fans and I have to be the CEO.” It’s a classic football executive`s tightrope walk: balance financial prudence and strategic vision with the raw, often irrational, emotional demands of the supporters.
The Unexpected Turn: From Threats to Thanks
Perhaps the most remarkable twist in Fienga`s tale is its unexpected conclusion. After two to three years of immense pressure, his tenure at Roma concluded. One would expect residual animosity, perhaps a quiet departure. Instead, something extraordinary happened.
A delegation from the Curva Sud – the very heart of the ultras, representing many of those 7,000 who had once bayed for his blood – approached him. Not with renewed threats, but with a gift: a Roma emblem, accompanied by a note. It was an apology, an acknowledgement of his work, and a mark of respect.
“They wrote that they probably didn`t agree with me on some decisions, but that they understood what I had done and respected me,” Fienga recounted. “When I go to Rome and people recognize me, they shake my hands, it`s not such a common thing. If you do your job well, people understand it.”
This unlikely reconciliation underscores the complex, often contradictory nature of football fandom: capable of intense anger, yet also of profound appreciation for integrity and effort, even when initial decisions are deeply unpopular.
Giants of the Game: Totti, Ronaldo, and the Mourinho Mystique
Beyond the personal drama, Fienga`s career provided him with a unique vantage point to observe some of football`s most iconic figures. He categorizes truly great players into two camps.
Francesco Totti: The Gift of God
For Fienga, Francesco Totti, another AS Roma legend, represents the pinnacle of natural talent. “God gave them talent,” he explained. “I had one of these, and it was Francesco Totti. You understand that Totti is different just by how he touches the ball; the ball makes a different movement with him. He hits the ball without even looking at the field and it lands exactly on the attacker`s foot.” There’s a touch of affectionate exasperation as Fienga quips about Totti still believing he could play in Serie A at 40 – a common trait among legends who never truly lose their self-belief.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Talent Forged in Toil
Then there`s Cristiano Ronaldo, a figure whose sheer will and dedication are as legendary as his talent. “Then there is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has talent in addition to hard work,” Fienga noted. This distinction highlights a fascinating debate in football: the effortless genius versus the meticulously crafted superstar. Ronaldo, for all his natural ability, epitomizes the relentless pursuit of perfection, a stark contrast to the “super talented [who] are often lazy because they know they don`t have to work much to still make a difference.”
José Mourinho: The Alpha and the Firefighter
Working with José Mourinho, the “Special One,” presents its own set of unique challenges and insights. Fienga describes him as “super intelligent, skilled in his work, and the third word I cannot say…” with a smile, hinting at Mourinho`s well-documented complexities. Privately, he`s “very funny.”
Managing Mourinho, according to Fienga, is like being “a firefighter in California” due to his constant conflicts with referees and league officials. It’s a technical assessment delivered with a knowing chuckle, capturing the perpetual crisis management inherent in working with such a dominant, controversial personality.
A final anecdote perfectly encapsulates their dynamic: upon Fienga`s departure from Roma, Mourinho quipped, “Guido, there are only two alpha males in this club, and now one is leaving…” Fienga`s response, “Good for you,” speaks volumes about the mutual, albeit challenging, respect that defined their relationship. It`s a candid glimpse into the ego-driven world at the top of elite football.
The Enduring Lessons of the Beautiful Game
Guido Fienga`s journey through the AS Roma hot seat offers a compelling narrative of football administration. It`s a world where corporate strategies collide with tribal passions, where rational decisions can ignite irrational fury, and where respect, once lost, can be painstakingly regained. His story is a poignant reminder that beyond the statistics and the spectacle, football remains a deeply human endeavor, capable of inspiring both extreme devotion and profound, personal challenge.