Fabio Paratici’s second period at Tottenham Hotspur lasted just over three months.
A ban imposed by FIFA cut short the Italian’s first spell at the north London club in April 2023.
After serving a ban, the sporting director returned to Tottenham in October. Towards the end of December, reports in the Italian media started covering Fiorentina interest.
Last month, Tottenham announced the 53-year-old would move to the Serie A side after the winter market. The Italian media made clear he’d already started work for La Viola, with Manor Solomon’s transfer seen as part of that.
Paratici has been speaking to the reporters today and TuttoMercatoWeb have relayed his comments.
Fiorentina are 18th in the table, a point behind 17th placed US Lecce. Thomas Frank’s side are 14th in the league and qualified for the Champions League last 16.
Despite Fiorentina being in the relegation zone, he insists the decision to leave Tottenham for them wasn’t reckless. The director also explained when the Italian club first made an approach.
“I’ll immediately get some more questions out of the way. I chose and decided to come to Fiorentina on December 15th or 16th. Fiorentina had six points, Ferrari came to London to meet me, and there I decided to come to Fiorentina,” he said.
“It might have seemed reckless, but it was actually just courageous. A reckless person doesn’t know what they’re doing; a courageous person evaluates and weighs things.”
“I thought Fiorentina has a great and very serious owner, it has world-class infrastructure, and a group of people with whom I’ve always felt in symbiosis. And then it has a city that is a super international brand that we must respect and bring to the world, because it gives us visibility. I decided it was the right time to return to Italy.”
Fabio Paratici thanks Tottenham Hotspur
Paratici accepts the club’s current position but insists Fiorentina deserve better. He also backs himself for the big challenge.
“It’s a huge challenge, but I’m facing it with enthusiasm and with a lot of belief,” Paratici explained.
“Florence and Fiorentina deserve a higher level than the current one. That said, we must face reality and accept that for the next four months. We’ll have to put our heads in the tank to save ourselves.”
“We won’t solve the problem in one go. week or a month, from today until the last match of the championship we will have to stay inside the tank, focused and aggressive, then we will think about everything else.”
Another report from TMW has covered additional quotes from Paratici thanking Spurs.
He added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank President Commisso and Ferrari for choosing me. I thank the entire Commisso family and congratulate Giuseppe on his new role.”
“I also thank Tottenham Hotspur for giving me this opportunity to enjoy five wonderful years in the Premier League, waiting for me during difficult times.”