Sporting director Fabio Paratici leaves Tottenham Hotspur for Serie A strugglers Fiorentina less than four months after return to Premier League side

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the departure of joint sporting director Fabio Paratici less than four months after his return to north London. The 53-year-old is joining Fiorentina in his home country, hoping to transform the fortunes of the Serie A strugglers. Paratici previously held the managing director's role at Spurs from June 2021 to April 2023 before resigning after a FIFA ban.

Joint sporting director Fabio Paratici will leave Tottenham Hotspur in February to join Serie A strugglers Fiorentina - less than four months after returning to the Premier League club.

The Italian returned to his role at Spurs in October, working alongside Johan Lange. Paratici had previously spent just under two years as the club’s managing director of football from June 2021 to April 2023 before stepping back after a 30-month FIFA ban for alleged financial malpractice during his time at Juventus.

Paratici will leave at the conclusion of the winter transfer window for Fiorentina, who are in the relegation zone in Serie A.

"I want to thank Vinai [Venkatesham] and the board of Tottenham Hotspur for accommodating my desire to return to Italy and join Fiorentina," said Paratici.

"I have loved my time at the club, however this opportunity, together with the need to be based in my homeland, has led me to this decision.

"Spurs is a club that is very close to my heart. It has great people working for it, who are as passionate about the project as I am and want to bring sustained success. I have no doubt that they will achieve that and I will be watching closely from Italy."

Tottenham made several significant signings under Paratici, including the £60 million acquisition of Richarlison, club captain Cristian Romero in a £42m deal, and England international Djed Spence for £12m.

Spurs made their first signing of the January transfer window on Wednesday, bringing Conor Gallagher to north London on a long-term contract. They are also reportedly close to signing Brazilian left-back Souza from Santos.

His departure comes during a difficult period of the season for Tottenham and head coach Thomas Frank, who has overseen just three wins out of their last 14 matches in all competitions.

The club's season deteriorated further last weekend with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup. Tottenham host West Ham on Saturday as they look to climb towards the top half of the Premier League table.

Venkatesham, Spurs' chief executive officer, said: "We have agreed that Fabio will return to Italy following the conclusion of the January transfer window, in line with his wish to move back home. We thank Fabio for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future.

"Our management structure is designed to be resilient to personnel changes, and it will be business as usual moving forward."

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Paratici faces the challenge of improving the fortunes of troubled Fiorentina, who have managed just two league victories so far this season.

Stefano Pioli was dismissed in November following the club’s worst-ever start to a campaign, while his successor Paolo Vanoli also came under pressure before overseeing a recent upturn in results.

Few would have predicted Fiorentina to find themselves in such a precarious position at this stage of the season.

A sixth-place finish last term secured a return to the UEFA Conference League, but three defeats in six matches have left them facing a play-off to progress in a competition they lost in the final in both 2023 and 2024.

Paratici will reunite with Manor Solomon, who left Spurs earlier this month to join La Viola on loan.

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