Report: Levy on personal mission for Tottenham to re-hire “outstanding” 52yr old, it’s not Pochettino
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has suffered a significant setback in his efforts to bring former managing director of football Fabio Paratici back to the club.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Paratici, who served an 18-month suspension for financial irregularities during his tenure at Juventus, is poised to return to football but is unlikely to rejoin Spurs.
Instead, the Italian executive has reportedly agreed to take up the role of sporting director at AC Milan, despite Levy’s persistent attempts to lure him back to North London. This development marks a blow for Levy, who had been pushing to reinstate Paratici in a key role at Tottenham.
Paratici, who resigned from his position at Tottenham in April 2023, has been a highly regarded figure in football circles, particularly for his work during his two-year stint with the club.
Levy is said to hold Paratici in high esteem, valuing his contributions to Tottenham’s recruitment strategy and player acquisitions. During his time at Spurs, Paratici played a pivotal role in signing players such as Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, and Dejan Kulusevski, all of whom have become integral to the squad.
Kulusevski, in particular, has been a standout performer this season, contributing 10 goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances, making him Tottenham’s second-top goal contributor.
Despite Paratici’s successful track record at Tottenham, his return to the club now seems unlikely. Reports suggest that he has chosen to continue his career in Italy, where he spent his entire playing and executive career before joining Spurs in 2021.
AC Milan had also considered Arsenal’s incoming sporting director, Andrea Berta, for the role, but Paratici has emerged as the front-runner to take charge at San Siro.
This decision underscores Paratici’s preference for working closer to home, where he has deep-rooted connections and a proven track record.
Levy’s desire to bring Paratici back to Tottenham was driven by the need to stabilize the club’s football operations and replicate the success of his previous tenure.
The Tottenham chairman had envisioned Paratici taking on a role similar to that of Luis Campos at Paris Saint-Germain, overseeing recruitment and player development. However, with Paratici now set to join AC Milan, Levy will need to explore alternative options to strengthen the club’s backroom staff.
Tottenham’s disappointing Premier League campaign has further highlighted the need for strategic leadership. The club is currently on course for its worst league finish since the 2003/04 season, when they ended up in 14th place.
Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have struggled for consistency, winning just 10 of their 29 league games this season and averaging 1.17 points per game.
This underwhelming performance has raised questions about Postecoglou’s future, with the club reportedly considering potential successors for the Australian manager.
The potential departure of Paratici to AC Milan adds another layer of uncertainty to Tottenham’s plans for the future. While his return would have provided a sense of continuity and expertise, Levy must now focus on identifying a suitable replacement who can help steer the club back on track.
The coming months will be crucial for Tottenham as they look to rebuild and compete at the highest level, both on and off the pitch. For now, the focus remains on securing the right leadership to guide the club through this challenging period and restore its standing in English football.