Tottenham confirm Fabio Paratici’s return as joint-sporting director | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that former consultant Fabio Paratici has returned to the club as a joint-sporting director.

The 53-year-old has been out of a job since he stepped down from his role as Tottenham’s managing director of football two years ago after losing an appeal in Italy against a 30-month ban from the game.

After Paratici’s exit, Tottenham hired Johan Lange as technical director. He was reunited with Thomas Frank in the summer, having worked with the Danish tactician at Lyngby nearly two decades ago.

Paratici’s return to Tottenham has led to yet another change in leadership structure.

He’s expected to work alongside Lange, who has been promoted to Tottenham sporting director as part of what the club called a “new men’s football leadership structure”.

The changes were instigated by Tottenham’s new chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham.

Venkatesham joined the club in June and has been in charge of football operations at Spurs since long-serving executive Daniel Levy was relieved of his duties as chairman in September.

Paratici has been working for Tottenham as a consultant for several months, helping the club mainly in the transfer market, and his return in an official capacity was always a possibility.

It remains to be seen how Paratici and Lange work together as sporting directors and whether a formal partnership in such an important position can work long-term.

“I’m delighted to be returning to a Club that I love,” Paratici said when his return was officially confirmed.

“I have been working with Johan, Vinai and Thomas as a consultant for a number of months, and I now look forward to returning to London and joining the team full-time.

“I’m convinced that working in partnership with Johan, we can build a special future for the Club and our supporters.”

Lange will focus on the scouting, analysis and performance departments, including areas such as medical, sports science and nutrition, as well as the club’s academy.

Meanwhile, Paratici will continue in his preferred role, overseeing the club’s transfer activities.