Tottenham have confirmed the return to the club of Fabio Paratici as sporting director and the promotion of Johan Lange to the same role.
Paratici stepped down as managing director of football in April 2023 after losing his appeal against a 30-month Italian Football Federation ban for his involvement in allegations of false accounting at his old club Juventus, which FIFA ruled to extend worldwide.
His ban was partially reduced in April 2023, allowing him to take up some roles in football and the ban came to an end in the summer of this year.
The Italian has been working in a consultancy role at Tottenham and now returns to the key role of sporting director alongside Lange, who has been promoted from technical director.
A club statement read: ‘This is part of a new structure for our men’s football operation, designed to strengthen leadership, collaboration and long-term decision-making across all areas of the men’s and boys’ game.
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‘Together, they will lead our men’s football strategy and drive an ambitious new chapter for the Club.’
Paratici said: ‘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 has been at Spurs since November 2023 and said: ‘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.’
Spurs also confirmed that they will ‘shortly start recruitment for a director of football operations’ to complete their new structure.
Paratici’s ban was related to transfer fees being inflated for accounting purposes which was deemed to be financial malpractice.
The 53-year-old was one of 11 people who worked for Juventus banned as a result of the investigation.
Spurs Chief Executive Officer, Vinai Venkatesham, said of the appointments: ‘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.
‘Together, Fabio and Johan will lead with purpose – building not only a competitive men’s squad, but a connected football ecosystem where every detail contributes to our shared ambition: to make our club a benchmark for excellence in world football.’