Fabio Paratici to return to Fiorentina after spell at Tottenham Hotspur in January
Fabio Paratici’s second season at Tottenham Hotspur will be over just as quickly as it resumes. According to The Athletic, the club’s joint sporting director will complete a move to Fiorentina in early February once the January transfer window for English clubs closes at 7pm (GMT) on Monday 2 February.
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Timing is important. Paratici is expected to remain active at Spurs throughout the winter window, helping to guide recruitment before returning to Italy to lead football operations at Fiorentina. The arrangement reflects the professionalism of both parties but also highlights the transitional nature of this period in north London.
Italy’s pull and unfinished business
“The Athletic” revealed on December 21 that more than two months after Paratici was reappointed by Tottenham, Florence had contacted Paratici in the hope that he could unexpectedly return to Serie A. Personal reasons are believed to have played a large role in the decision, a reminder that football executives, like players, are often influenced by family considerations and career ambitions.
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Paratici officially returned to work in October as joint sporting director alongside John Lange after a 30-month ban from football activity ended. He previously served as Tottenham Hotspur’s general manager of football from June 2021, appointed by then executive chairman Daniel Levy.
Tottenham work continues in January
Despite his imminent departure, Paratici was still involved in Tottenham’s first acquisition of the winter window, the signing of Brazilian left-back Sousa from Santos. Spurs have agreed a fee for the teenager with the Brazilian club, an early indication that business will continue in January regardless of boardroom changes.
This continuity is important. Spurs have endured a year of significant change and the club have been keen to avoid disruption during a window that could determine the direction of the season.
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A complex heritage and Italy’s future
Paratici’s career was filled with success and controversy. He was one of 11 former Juventus executives banned from Italian football over accusations of financial fraud, with FIFA later extending the ban globally in March 2023. The case relates to overstating transfer fees for accounting purposes while he was in Turin.
He resigned from Tottenham in April 2023 after his appeal against a global ban was dismissed, although sanctions were eased, allowing him to work in football in a limited capacity. During this period he continued to provide transfer advice to Tottenham Hotspur on a consultative basis.
Fiorentina currently sit 18th in Serie A with just two wins from 20 league games and have yet to replace former sporting director Daniele Prade, who left by mutual consent in November. Paratici’s appointment would represent a statement of intent that the club needs guidance.
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Paratici’s imminent exit feels emblematic of the club still seeking stability on the pitch. Fans appreciated his work in helping modernize the recruiting structure, especially during his first term, but were also fatigued by the constant changes in the executive suite.
Supporters hope his continued involvement in January ensures momentum is not lost. Souza’s trade shows the plans haven’t stopped, but fans remain wary. Too often, Tottenham’s transfer window has been shaped by changing priorities rather than a clear, unified vision.
It is also acknowledged that Paratici’s heart has always been close to Italy. If personal reasons drive the move, many fans will wish him well. Even more worrying is what happens next. Spurs supporters want clear, accountable and stable hierarchy to properly support the manager. This departure should be the final step in a dramatic change, not another chapter in an ongoing cycle.