Bournemouth agree Tiago Pinto deal with work permit hearing today – sources
Tiago Pinto has agreed a deal to join Bournemouth as their new sporting director, sources have told Football Insider.
Pinto is in line to replace Richard Hughes after he left the Cherries to join fellow Premier League side Liverpool as sporting director in March.
Sources say the deal is fully agreed between Bournemouth and the Portuguese, subject to his work permit being granted at a hearing on Thursday.
The 36-year-old recently left his position as general manager at Roma and previously spent time as a director at Benfica.
The Dorset-based club view the deal as a “big coup” as they look to start preparations behind the scenes at the Vitality Stadium for next season.
Tiago Pinto could be set to join Bournemouth
Pinto looks set to take on the sporting-director role after Hughes previously held the position for 10 years before deciding to join Liverpool.
The 44-year-old was Michael Edwards’s first appointment after he returned to Anfield as CEO of Football this year.
Pinto brings a decent amount of experience at top clubs after spending three years at Roma following his previous spell at Benfica.
During his time in the Italian capital, he worked closely with former Roma manager Jose Mourinho and helped the club lift the Europa Conference League trophy in 2022.
Pinto now looks set to join Bournemouth barring any unexpected issues emerging in the next few days.
One of the Portuguese’s first tasks could be to help Cherries boss Andoni Iraola replace defender Lloyd Kelly as he looks set to depart the club when his contract expires at the end of June.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month Newcastle United have offered the 25-year-old a “big-money” four-year deal to make the switch to St James’ Park.
Bournemouth enjoyed a promising first season under Iraola as they recorded a 12th-place finish in the Premier League.
In other news, Wolves plot bid to sign Bournemouth star.
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