Paratici: Tottenham accommodated my desire, I’ll watch Spurs ‘closely’ – latest

Fabio Paratici thanks Tottenham for ‘accommodating’ his desire to return to Italy and promises he’ll be ‘watching’ the club closely as the new Fiorentina director.

Fiorentina and Tottenham confirmed on Wednesday that Paratici would become the Tuscans’ sporting director starting February 4, 2026.

This means the Italian director will complete the January transfer window in North London before returning to Italy.

Paratici explains Tottenham exit

“I want to thank Vinai and the Board of Tottenham Hotspur for accommodating my desire to return to Italy and join Fiorentina,” Paratici told Tottenham’s official website.

“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.”

Paratici will take control of a struggling Fiorentina side that find themeselves fighting for survival with just 14 points in 20 Serie A matches.

Paratici to join Fiorentina in February

The Tuscans are three points from safety, but have been in good form in recent weeks, collecting one win and two draws in the last three league games.

Paratici returns to Italy after a long and successful spell at Juventus, where he first served as sporting director and then as the club’s Chief Football Officer.

The Italian moved to Tottenham in the summer of 2021 and returned to duties with the club in October 2025 after the completion of a 30-month ban.