He is a simple man, jovial and warm. Content with his lot in life, with his family, with his job. One year into his role as AS Monaco’s CEO, Thiago Scuro has found his bearings. With a confident smile and a happy face he runs the Principality’s football Club, which is finally back in the Champions League this year. By the way, the Club just solemnly marked its centenary in September.
AS Monaco is aiming to win the French championship and to do well in the European competition. As it pursues excellence, the team benefits from the total support of Club President and majority shareholder, Dmitry Rybolovlev; from its ultra-modern Performance Centre; the young talent being developed by the Academy; and a top-flight coach in Adi Hütter. With a successful career already, Hütter is supported by the Brazilian CEO, a former sports director of “Red Bull Bragantino”. There are therefore plenty of reasons to see a bright future for the Reds and Whites.
Hello Monaco: Football started very early on for you. Do you remember your first encounter with this sport? You were but a child…
Thiago Scuro: I was certainly very young. I can’t quite remember. Football in Brazil is part of our culture, we are born with it. When a baby comes into this world, he is given a ball or a club jersey. It’s a tradition. My father must have taken me to the stadium very early. And then, in my country, children play football quite naturally. At school, in the street, as soon as we have a spare moment, at the slightest opportunity. Freely, with no constraint, just to have fun. It’s part of our education, our personal development…
HM: Was your father also a football player?
TS: Yes, but an amateur one. He never aimed to be professional. He was, of course, a fan, like most people in Brazil, and a stadium regular. He still continues to play, more like for pleasure.
HM: Haven’t you felt a certain frustration giving up playing and taking on management?
TS: Not in the least. Naturally, like all children, I dreamed of becoming a great football player. But I only competed in the junior teams. I then took a management course that got me into becoming a club manager. The thing I am delighted about. My example must serve young people. It should be known that there are many ways of living and working in football without necessarily being a player. It is a real business. There is a number of jobs, it is about management, communication. Then there is training, medical care, technical aspects etc.
HM: You don’t play football at all anymore?
TS: Of course I do! With my children, Lucca, 11, and Giovanna, 10… With the team and the employees too, for fun.
HM: Before arriving in the Principality, you had already been very present in the world of football…
TS: Yes, I spent years managing big clubs in Brazil. My last seven years were given to the South American team Red Bull Bragantino.
HM: Is Monaco a recognition for you?
TS: It’s a fantastic opportunity! Coming here to manage one of the best, most successful clubs in France, is a great chance. But we know what the stakes are. Aiming for excellence with a great ambition, we are proud of our fans and our team. Now it’s about qualifying high within Ligue 1, being in the French Top-3. And then being able to access the best in the European cup, the Champions League.
HM: Do you have an ambition of fighting against PSG?
TS: PSG has an important history. Good leaders, significant investments. But before even looking at them, we want to look at ourselves. Becoming stronger and stronger day after day. That’s our number 1 goal.
HM: Your job is about recruiting the players. How do you spot a future champion among the youngsters?
TS: I believe that the most important thing is mentality. You certainly need a good physique, but above all a steely mind. The player must understand his responsibilities within the team, have the ambition of making AS Monaco grow. No room for individualism here! No rivalries, no competition, but a healthy emulation of the best instead. It is a team sport, and our success therefore may only be collective.
A football player must have an understanding of dedicating himself to his profession. And all the sacrifices it involves for high-level athletes.
HM: I believe you are very attentive to the human side. Can empathy and high standards be reconciled?
TS: I think this work requires both respect and rigour. And a total transparency on top of it all. If you must be demanding, that’s what it takes. It’s a bit like a father-son or an older-younger brother relationship. You have to be firm if need be. But you also need to focus on moments of sharing and conviviality. The youngest in our team is 17, the oldest is 29. I make sure to be very present and close, keeping up a good understanding. We also work in a perfect harmony with the coach, Adi Hütter. We are spending more time here than with our own families. The relationship is getting stronger and stronger…
HM: What is your strategy for increasing AS Monaco’s influence?
TS: Several projects are underway, particularly aimed at young people. We are trying to establish ourselves sustainably in the region carrying out various actions in the neighbouring French Riviera towns. AS Monaco, internationally famous, must also shine locally.
HM: There seems to be a problem with the TV broadcasting rights that are not up to expectations. Are you concerned by that?
TS: All football clubs are concerned. TV rights are what the television networks pay to the League or the clubs to broadcast the matches. And the scope of rights expected by the clubs for this new cycle was larger than what we actually obtained. This is not good for football in general. The smaller the investments, the more challenging it is to maintain a team’s quality.
HM: Apart from football, do you have hobbies?
TS: I am someone sharing my life between two most important things, work and family. When I have a little time, I play tennis or visit the area with my wife and children. There are so many things to discover! We have very well adjusted to the French Riviera lifestyle. After a year at the helm of AS Monaco, I have but one hope: that of staying here as long as possible.
HM: Do you have a dream?
TS: To be honest, my dreams have to do with my family, my children. I have a very good relationship with my wife and I hope to stay with her for the rest of my life. I enjoy every day that goes by. And, in my work, I do my best every day. I believe that what I am doing today is building the future. I am the one who prefers acting rather than dreaming.
