Tottenham co-sporting director Fabio Paratici is set to leave the club after the January transfer window, just four months after returning in an official capacity.
Italian executive Paratici, 53, served as Spurs’ managing director of football from June 2021 until he was forced to resign in April 2023 for his alleged role in financial irregularities at former club Juventus.
The 53-year-old was banned from football activity for 30 months by the Italian Football Federation, with this extended worldwide by FIFA.
Paratici continued to advise Tottenham as a consultant though, and he was announced as one of two sporting directors alongside Johan Lange in October when his ban expired.
But Paratici will now depart next month, with personal reasons believed to be a key factor in his exit. The 53-year-old is expected to join Fiorentina.
Reports in Italy in December had first suggested the Serie A side had approached Paratici about a long-term contract offer to head up their football operations.
Tottenham co-sporting director Fabio Paratici is set to leave the club after the January window
The Italian is expected to continue his work at Spurs this month – which has seen them close in on a £13million deal for Santos defender Souza – before his exit is finalised.
At Spurs, Paratici has been responsible for overseeing the football strategy, which includes performance development, scouting and recruitment.
At the time of his appointment – which was the latest in a year of turnover at the club – CEO Vinai Venkatesham said Paratici and Lange would work together to fulfil the ever-expanding requirements of the role of a sporting director.
‘Together, Fabio and Johan will lead with purpose,’ Venkatesham said in October.
‘This is an evolution in how we operate. We’re setting the foundations for sustained success.’
Paratici had resigned from his role at Spurs in April 2023 after the rejection of his appeal against his worldwide ban, although he was allowed to work in football on a consultancy basis.
This meant the Italian was a regular presence at Tottenham’s stadium and advised the club on transfers during that time.
Paratici was one of 11 former Juventus executives banned amid accusations of financial malpractice, with allegations including the inflation of transfer fees for accounting purposes. Paratici has maintained that he always acted in accordance with the rules.
Fiorentina currently sit 18th in Serie A after a dismal start to the season.
They have just 14 points from 20 games, although they have taken eight from their past five matches amid an uptick in form.
Their former sporting director Daniele Prade left in November.
