Fabio Paratici has officially returned to Tottenham Hotspur, taking on the role of co-sporting director alongside Johan Lange. This significant appointment marks a formal comeback for Paratici, who had previously resigned from his position as managing director of football in April 2023 following a 2½-year ban from the game.

Paratici’s initial departure stemmed from his involvement in transfer dealings while at Juventus, where he was among several executives punished for alleged financial irregularities, specifically making capital gains by inflating the values of outgoing players. Juventus was subsequently found guilty of false accounting and incurred a 10-point deduction in Serie A. While some individuals had their appeals upheld, Paratici lost his case against the 30-month FIFA ban.

However, the path for his return was cleared recently when a judge in Rome accepted a plea bargain request from Paratici and other former Juventus executives. This agreement means he will not have to serve an 18-month suspended prison sentence, and notably, plea deals in Italy do not entail an admission of guilt or acceptance of liability. Since stepping down from his formal role, Paratici had already been working for Tottenham in a consultancy capacity, with his permanent return pending the conclusion of his legal issues and the transfer window.

Now formally back, Paratici will partner with Johan Lange, who has been promoted from his previous position as technical director. Together, they are tasked with leading Tottenham’s men’s football strategy and driving an ambitious new chapter for the club. Their responsibilities will encompass performance development, scouting, and recruitment, signifying a united leadership approach in football operations.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Paratici stated, “I’m delighted to be returning to a club that I love. 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 echoed this sentiment, adding, “I firmly believe we are building something special here at Tottenham Hotspur, and I am looking forward to working with Fabio as part of our new men’s football structure. We have a talented group of staff and players here at the club and we can look forward with confidence and positivity.”

This appointment is part of a broader, radical overhaul of Tottenham’s leadership structure this summer. Long-standing chairman Daniel Levy stepped down from his role last month after 24 years, with Vinai Venkatesham becoming the club’s new chief executive and Peter Charrington named non-executive chairman. The club also plans to recruit a director of football operations to complement the roles of Paratici and Lange. Until this position is filled, the club’s women’s team will remain under the direct control of Venkatesham.

Further changes at the club involve the Lewis Family Trust, the majority shareholder of ENIC with an 86.58% stake in Tottenham. Joe Lewis’s daughter Vivienne, his son Charles, and grandson-in-law Nick Beucher have all assumed more prominent roles within the club, amidst reports that Tottenham rejected at least three parties interested in a potential takeover. Venkatesham emphasized the strategic importance of the new structure, stating, “This is an important evolution in how we operate. The remit of a Sporting Director today is vast, and by uniting two exceptional leaders in Johan and Fabio, we're setting the foundations for sustained success. They are both outstanding football minds, with complementary expertise and strong track records. This structure reflects our ambition and our determination to compete at the very highest level to deliver for our supporters.”