Tottenham Hotspur have officially confirmed the return of Fabio Paratici to the club as sporting director, marking a dramatic comeback for one of football’s most debated executives.
The Italian, who resigned in 2023 following a 30-month global ban for financial irregularities during his time at Juventus, is back in north London — and straight into the heart of Spurs’ new football structure.
Paratici’s ban ended in July 2025, but it seems Spurs never truly let go.
He had reportedly been advising the club as a consultant for several months, helping with transfers and even playing a role in the appointment of new head coach Thomas Frank.
Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham explained that while the setup looks new, Paratici’s influence never really disappeared.
“Fabio has been working for the club as a consultant,” Venkatesham said. “He has been giving us advice, for example, during the transfer window and also during the process we appointed Thomas.”
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Some of the best signing Tottenham made under Fabio Paratici
An in-depth discussion with Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange on the new Sporting Director model 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Oae0RoamwE
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 15, 2025
Paratici’s return has sparked mixed feelings among fans. Many still remember the controversy that forced him out, but others point to his sharp eye for talent — a skill that brought in players like Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, and Pape Matar Sarr during his first spell.
This time, Paratici won’t be flying solo. He’ll share the sporting director title with Johan Lange, who has been promoted from technical director.
According to Spurs, the duo’s partnership is designed to “strengthen collaboration, leadership, and long-term decision-making” — or as fans might put it, two heads are better than one when it comes to transfers.
Venkatesham added that both men will have clear areas of focus.
“Johan will be focused on scouting, performance, and the academy, while Fabio will concentrate on players, transfers, and the loans department,” he said.
In classic Spurs fashion, it’s a structure that sounds modern and ambitious — though only results will tell whether it’s revolutionary or just another managerial shuffle.
The announcement comes amid Tottenham’s broader restructuring following Daniel Levy’s departure and ENIC’s £100 million cash injection.
The club is also looking to hire a director of football operations to complete its leadership overhaul.
As Paratici settles back in, many will be watching closely to see if his second act delivers success — or more headlines off the pitch than on it.
Either way, it’s safe to say Tottenham’s transfer windows just got a lot more interesting again.
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