Fabio Paratici is ‘one step away’ from becoming the new sporting director of Tottenham Hotspur, according to emerging reports in Italy…
What’s the word?
Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claim talks between Spurs and Paratici are at an ‘advanced stage’ and he is set to be appointed in the near future, even despite the uncertainty over Antonio Conte, whom he worked with at Juventus.
The 48-year-old recently left his role in Turin, where he was a part of 19 major trophies in 11 years but is said to be keen to get straight back into the game.
Whilst Conte has stalled on taking the reigns in the dugout, it seems his Italian counterpart is on the verge of being hired.
Worrying endorsement
Spurs have sunk down the Premier League table in recent seasons, recording back-to-back finishes which are their worst since 2009, so it is interesting that Daniel Levy feels it is time for a change upstairs.
The North London outfit have not had someone in this role since Franco Baldini left in 2015. He was largely responsible for signings like Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado, Christian Eriksen and Paulinho.
Paratici’s record at Juventus is undeniable and he, along with Conte, built one of their most successful teams together but he quickly became known for splashing the cash.
In 2018. he signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for €100m (£86m), where he signed a whopping £500k-per-week contract and a year later, he clinched young Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt for €75m (£65m).
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By comparison, Spurs’ record signing is £55m and Levy has only paid a fee above £30m four times in his career, so you’d have to wonder if Paratici is a good fit for the club.
His transfer activity has recently been slammed by Forza Italian Football editor-in-chief Conor Clancy, who told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that the director was “incapable.”
“It’s unbelievable that they had Joao Cancelo there, they let him go for Danilo.
“They had Miralem Pjanic who was one of the best midfielders in Italy and Europe. They did a weird swap deal with Barcelona that has worked out for neither Juventus nor Barcelona nor either of the players.
“And he has proven himself incapable of selling. He had all of these players on huge wages.”
A move for Paratici fails to make much sense without the arrival of Conte, either, especially given the names on Levy’s mooted shortlist.
As per The Athletic, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, Brighton’s Graham Potter, Ajax champion Erik ten Hag, and the unemployed Ralf Rangnick are all being considered for the role.
None have worked under Paratici, nor has the Italian been able to see any of them first-hand. He could well have his own list of potential managerial candidates, meaning Spurs are some way off finding their next boss.
Levy is on the verge of making one simply unforgivable mistake here. On the above evidence, the appointment of Paratici – with or without Conte – just seems a recipe for disaster.
AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano reveals fresh twist in Spurs’ bid to secure Antonio Conte…