Spurs have announced the return of Fabio Paratici in a new structure that sees them employ two sporting directors.Â
The Italian joins forces with Johan Lange, who has been promoted from technical director to technical director.
Paratici initially resigned from the role in 2023 after he received a ban from football operations, which was made worldwide by FIFA.
The 53-year-old was handed a 30-month suspension from the game after his former club Juventus, where he worked for 11 years, were found guilty by an Italian court of false accounting.
Spurs said the decision to appoint two sporting directors is part of a “progressive approach to modern football operations”, designed to “strengthen leadership, collaboration and long-term decision-making.” The also confirmed that they will start the recruitment process of hiring a director of football operations to support the two men.
“Together, they will lead our men’s football strategy and drive an ambitious new chapter for the Club,” a statement read. “This evolution forms part of the Club’s continued investment in world-class men’s and women’s football structures designed to deliver sustained on pitch success.”
“I’m delighted to be returning to a Club that I love,” said Paratici, who confirmed that he has been offering consultation to Spurs for months.
“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.”
The surprise move is the latest in a year of major change at Tottenham. Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou as head coach in the summer before Daniel Levy was removed as executive chairman in September.
Peter Charrington, a former banker who was appointed to the club’s board in March, subsequently stepped into the new role of non-executive chairman.
Former Arsenal chief executive officer Vinai Venkatesham was named Spurs CEO in April. He said that having two people cover the “vast remit” of a sporting directors will set “the foundations for sustained success”.
“They are both outstanding football minds, with complementary expertise and strong track records,” Venkatesham added. “This structure reflects our ambition and our determination to compete at the very highest level to deliver for our supporters.
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