(Photo: Running Red/EM/EM/EM
After more than seven years as executive director of Ernst & Young, one of the leading multinational consultancies, Pedro Daniel accepted the invitation to be CEO of Atlético – the professional’s first direct position at a football club. But why? In a press conference held last Wednesday (10/12), at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte, the manager himself explained.
Throughout his career, Pedro Daniel’s areas of focus were sports governance, strategic consultancy, innovation, business development and the sports industry, for example. He completed training courses to specialize in some of these topics and is a well-known name in the football market.
The São Paulo native was also part of the working group responsible for formulating the proposal for financial fair play in Brazilian football. Pedro Daniel was hired at Atlético to replace Bruno Muzzi, who had held the position of CEO since 2022 at the Minas Gerais club.
“I would like to thank all the trust, all the support, all the conversations, the entire structure of the club – not only shareholders -, but the entire board, Bruno (Muzzi), in these first moments here at the club. For me, it is a pride, it is a privilege to be part of a club with so much history, with such capable, good people, with so much history. For my career moment, I spoke a lot with everyone, I feel privileged.”
Pedro Daniel, new CEO of Atlético
“This is a fantastic project. I take a legacy from Bruno who, often, has invisible work. A work behind it that was so fantastic. A historic moment for the club, be it the conversion to SAF, the inauguration of Arena MRV, anyway. So many good things happening here at the club. And I feel very happy, very honored to have received this invitation”, continued the executive.
Pedro Daniel explains why he accepted an invitation from Atlético
Pedro Daniel said he accepted Atlético’s proposal because he saw “gigantic” potential in the club. Even with the challenge generated by Galo’s billion-dollar debt, the professional demonstrated confidence in a better future.
“I accepted this invitation precisely because I believe that we can do a fantastic project here. That the club can be a reference on several fronts. That’s why I’m very happy”, he argued.
“I see Atlético as a huge potential. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I brought my family here. I lived in São Paulo and brought my family here. Exactly because I believe we can do something different. Once again, it’s a pleasure to be here”, he continued.
Pedro Daniel’s main mission at Atlético
Pedro Daniel’s main objective at Atlético will be to help the club reduce its debt of more than R$1.3 billion. Debt causes the Rooster to have significant monthly interest expenses and, this year, it also caused the club delayed payment of athletes’ salaries on some occasions, in addition to amounts to other clubs in the market.
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