Tottenham Hotspur have announced the return of Fabio Paratici. The club have confirmed Paratici as their new co-sporting director, who will work alongside Johan Lange.
Paratici enjoyed a two-year spell at Tottenham before resigning in April 2023. His resignation came after he lost an appeal in Italy against his 30-month ban from the game.
“We are delighted to announce the return of Fabio Paratici to the club as sporting director,” a statement from Tottenham read. “Fabio will partner with Johan Lange, who was promoted to also become sporting director.
“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.
“Together, they will lead our men’s football strategy and drive an ambitious new chapter for the club. This evolution forms part of the club’s continued investment in world-class men’s and women’s football structures designed to deliver sustained on-pitch success.
“Johan and Fabio’s combined expertise will ensure that every decision, from player pathways and performance development to scouting and recruitment, is aligned and supports one overarching goal – to build a winning, world-class men’s team that endures.
“This partnership reflects a progressive approach to modern football operations – uniting two proven leaders with complementary experience, and a commitment to collaboration and innovation.”
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.
While Lange, who joined Tottenham in November 2023 following stints at Aston Villa and FC Copenhagen, 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.”
Vinai Venkatesham, who was named as the club’s new chief executive officer in April 2025, said: “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.”