While Quique Sanchez Flores acquaints himself with his new surroundings at Al Ain, the man who brokered the Spaniard’s return to the UAE can reflect on another job well done.
Pedro Pinto, head of Porto-based agency DNN Sports, is a familiar face to many club president’s and board members here in the UAE and across the Gulf having overseen countless deals in recent years.
While agents are often seen as divisive figures in the world of football, Pinto is a well-respected figure in the region not least for his penchant for keeping a low-profile.
More importantly, though, the Portuguese has gained a reputation as a man who gets deals done, bringing some of the biggest and best names in football to this part of the world.
This summer alone has seen him broker three of the Arabian Gulf League’s most high profile arrivals – both on and off the pitch – in the shape of Sanchez Flores, Hugo Viana (Al Ahli) and Sebastian Tagliabue (Al Wahda).
But it’s not just a stable of high profile clients and an enviable contacts book that keeps Pinto at the front of the queue for Arab football’s transfer merry-go-round.
He also happens to be a close friend and business associate of Jorge Mendes – the hugely influential ‘super agent’ who looks after the interests of Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao to name just three.
The partnership between DNN Sports, which has its own portfolio of players and managers, and Mendes’ Gestifute agency sees Pinto head up Middle East operations.
His responsibilities include looking after the Middle East image rights of Mendes’ biggest representatives as well as the sporting rights of other clients. His remit? To find a player the the right club and the club the right player.
And while it may not have worked out for former Barcelona and Chelsea winger Ricardo Quaresma, who remains out-of-favour at Al Ahli, there are plenty of others under Pinto’s care who continue to flourish.
Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta is among those after helping Dubai’s Al Shabab become the only UAE club to reach the knockout stages of the ongoing 2013 AFC Champions League.
Carlos Carvalhal is another, having turned his back on club management after spells in charge of Sporting Lisbon and Beskitas to oversee the restructuring of Al Ahli’s youth strategy in his role as academy director.
The biggest success though could yet be one of Pinto’s latest import – Al Wahda’s summer recruit Tagliabue. Top scorer in the Saudi Premier League last season, the Argentine is finding the back of the net just as regularly in the UAE, netting four goals in his first three games.
Luis Farina, a player who Pinto holds some interest in, is another to keep an eye on after impressing for Bani Yas in the early weeks of the new season following his loan move from Benfica.
And with Sanchez Flores now stationed at one of the country’s biggest clubs having enjoyed previous success at another in Al Ahli, the likelihood is that more names from Pinto’s little black book will arrive on these shores soon.
Current Sevilla boss Unai Emery could so easily have been one of those after Sport360° recently learned he travelled to Abu Dhabi for talks with Al Jazira last year only for a deal to fall through at the last minute.
Aitor Karanka, Jose Mourinho’s former assistant at Real Madrid, is another represented by Pinto and is known to be open to a move to the Gulf after only just missing out on the Ahli job this summer.
With coaches under Pinto’s watch also stationed in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, including national team boss Juan Ramón López Caro who replaced another of his clients Frank Rijkaard, Karanka’s wish ought to become a reality sooner rather than later.
After all, he has a man in his corner who knows the intricacies of boardroom negotiations in Middle Eastern football better than anyone.
TOP FIVE CLIENTS IN THE ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE
Quique Sanchez Flores (Al Ain) The Spaniard returned to UAE football last week to take up the Al Ain job. Previously spent 20 months in charge at Al Ahli, winning the Etisalat Cup and President’s Cup. Also won the Europa League with Atletico Madrid.
Ricardo Quaresma (Al Ahli) The nomadic Portuguese winger joined Al Ahli from Beskitas last January. Despite being the highest paid player in the Arabian Gulf League, he has found playing time hard to come by this term. A January exit looks likely.
Hugo Viana (Al Ahli) Once the most expensive teenager in English football, the Portuguese playmaker joined Ahli on a free transfer this summer. Has wasted little time in becoming a mainstay in Cosmin Olaroiu’s new-look side.
Sebastian Tagliabue (Al Wahda) The Argentine striker has begun the season as he ended his last in Saudi Arabia – scoring goals. Four in his first three games for Al Wahda have many fans of the Abu Dhabi club dreaming of a first title since 2010.
Marcos Paqueta (Al Shabab) The Brazilian boss was courted by Qatari giants Al Gharafa in the summer, and little wonder. Overcame a tough start last season to lead Al Shabab to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League.
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