Fabio Paratici has officially returned to Tottenham as co-sporting director, marking a significant comeback nearly two years after being handed a ban.
The Italian executive, who stepped down in April 2023 after receiving a 30-month suspension from FIFA, is set to return in a joint capacity as sporting director alongside Johan Lange, recently promoted from his role as technical director.
The duo will collaborate to shape the club’s men’s football strategy, with responsibilities spanning player recruitment, performance enhancement, and long-term squad development.
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Paratici’s return comes after months of behind-the-scenes consultancy work with Spurs, during which he collaborated closely with Lange, head coach Thomas Frank, and CEO Vinai Venkatesham.
“I’m delighted to be returning to a club that I love,” said Paratici. “Working in partnership with Johan, I’m convinced we can build a special future for the club and our supporters.”
Paratici’s departure in 2023 followed the fallout from a high-profile scandal at his former club Juventus, where he served for 11 years.
An Italian court found Juventus guilty of false accounting, resulting in the club’s Serie A points deduction and a wave of executive sanctions. Paratici’s subsequent appeal was rejected by Italy’s highest sports court, and FIFA extended his ban globally.
However, a more recent legal development paved the way for his return: a Rome judge accepted a plea bargain that saw Paratici avoid an 18-month prison sentence. Under Italian law, plea deals do not constitute an admission of guilt or liability.
Since then, Spurs have gradually reintegrated him in a low-profile consultancy role, with sources indicating the club always planned to reconsider his position once his legal matters concluded.