Fabio Paratici has officially returned to Tottenham Hotspur as the club’s sporting director, the Premier League side announced on Wednesday.
Paratici, known for his sharp eye in recruitment and strong European scouting network, is expected to strengthen Spurs’ sporting strategy and help sustain their challenge for Champions League qualification.
The Italian reclaims a key leadership role after completing a 30-month ban from football related to his previous tenure at Juventus.
The Juventus Ban
Paratici, who had resigned as Spurs’ Managing Director of Football in April 2023, stepped down after his appeal against a suspension was rejected by Italy’s top sports body.
The ban stemmed from investigations into alleged financial irregularities and transfer
dealings during his time at Juventus — charges which he and the club consistently denied.
The suspension, originally imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), was later extended worldwide by FIFA, forcing Paratici to temporarily withdraw from football activities. Having now served the full term, he returns to Tottenham, where he has reportedly been working behind the scenes as a consultant for several months.
A Second Chapter in North London
Tottenham confirmed that Paratici will partner with Johan Lange, who was recently promoted to the dual role of Technical and Sporting Director. Together, they will oversee recruitment, scouting, and long-term squad planning as Spurs continue to rebuild under manager Ange Postecoglou.
In his statement, Paratici expressed joy and optimism about his return:
“I’m delighted to be returning to a club that I love… I now look forward to returning to London and joining the team full-time,” he said.
“I’m convinced that working in partnership with Johan we can build a special future for the club and our supporters.”
Spurs also announced that they are searching for a Director of Football Operations to support Paratici and Lange in managing the growing demands of the club’s football structure.
Paratici’s Juventus Legacy
Before joining Tottenham in 2021, Paratici built an impressive résumé during his 11-year spell at Juventus, where he rose from Head of Technical Affairs to Chief Football Officer.
He played a major role in assembling the squad that dominated Serie A — winning nine consecutive league titles — and was instrumental in landmark signings such as Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018.
However, his Juventus tenure ended amid the “Prisma investigation,” which examined alleged accounting irregularities involving player transfers and financial reporting.
Although both Paratici and Juventus denied wrongdoing, the FIGC handed out bans and point deductions, prompting several resignations at the club, including Paratici’s departure.
(with Reuters inputs)
