Fabio Paratici, Fiorentina's "new boss" since February
Fiorentina had approached Paratici on December 21 about a surprise return to Italy, just over two months after he was reappointed at Tottenham.
Fabio Paratici will end his role as
Tottenham's sporting director at the end of the January transfer window. He will then return to his homeland to take up the role of general manager at
Fiorentina. The Italian club had approached Paratici on December 21 about a surprise return to Italy, just over two months after he was reappointed at Tottenham.
The 53-year-old Paratici has been involved in what is expected to be Tottenham's first signing of the winter transfer window, the signing of young Brazilian left-back Souza from Santos. Tottenham have agreed a fee with the Brazilian club for the teenager.
Some believe personal reasons are part of the reason for the timing of Paratici's decision to leave Tottenham so soon after his return.
Paratici officially rejoined Tottenham in October, following the end of his 30-month ban from football, taking on a role alongside Johan Lange as co-sports director. He had previously been Tottenham's chief football officer since June 2021, having been appointed by former executive chairman Daniel Levy.
Paratici was one of 11 former Juventus officials banned from Italian football following allegations of financial misconduct, and this ban was extended worldwide by FIFA in March 2023. The ban related to inflating transfer fees for accounting purposes during his time at Juventus.
The Italian officially stepped down from his role at Tottenham in April 2023, after his appeal against the worldwide ban was rejected, which was partially reduced, allowing him to work in football in a reduced capacity. During the interim period, he worked as a consultant for Tottenham, advising Levy and the club on transfers.
Paratici's return was the latest major development in a year of change at Tottenham, with Vinay Venkatesham appointed as CEO in April and Dane Thomas Frank replacing Greek-Australian Angie Postecoglou as manager in the summer. That same month, long-time chief executive Donna-Maria Cullen resigned from her board seat and in September, Levy was removed as Tottenham chairman after 24 years at the helm.
Paratici spent 11 years as Juventus sporting director before his first spell at Tottenham, overseeing one of the most successful periods in the Italian club's history, winning nine Serie A titles and reaching the
UEFA Champions League final twice. Now, from the day he takes charge of the Viola, his primary task will be to keep them in the top flight and gradually rebuild them ahead of next season...
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece).
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