Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for a significant backroom departure, with co-sporting director Fabio Paratici poised to exit the club this winter. According to a report from renowned journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Italian executive will leave for Serie A side Fiorentina once the current January transfer window concludes.
Ornstein's Update on Paratici's Imminent Exit
In a social media post on X, David Ornstein provided the key update, stating: "Fabio Paratici set to exit Tottenham Hotspur after current transfer window. Co-sporting director helping #THFC in January market before return to Italy for personal reasons. Expected to join Fiorentina." This confirms that Paratici, 53, will see out the remainder of the window at Spurs before making his return to his homeland.
Paratici first joined the North London club five years ago in June 2021. His tenure has seen him play a pivotal role in several major decisions, including the appointment of manager Antonio Conte and the signings of key players such as Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski. He previously resigned from his position in 2023, only to re-join the club in a co-sporting director capacity in October of last year.
Spurs' Struggles and Paratici's Next Challenge
The news of Paratici's impending departure comes during a difficult season for Tottenham. Under manager Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou last summer, the team has lacked consistency. They currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League table with 27 points from 21 games, and were recently knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Aston Villa.
Paratici's next destination, Fiorentina, presents its own considerable challenge. The Viola are entrenched in a relegation battle in Serie A, sitting inside the bottom three and two points from safety after a 1-1 draw with AC Milan.
What Comes Next for Tottenham?
Thomas Frank now faces the dual task of improving results on the pitch and overseeing the final stages of the January transfer window without his key co-sporting director. The club must swiftly identify a suitable replacement for Paratici to ensure long-term planning is not disrupted.
Before his executive career, Paratici was a professional defender in Italy, playing for clubs including Sassuolo, Palermo, and Lecce before retiring in 2004. He later held important roles at Sampdoria and Juventus before his move to the Premier League with Spurs.
