Fabio Paratici breaks silence after Tottenham exit and reveals bizarre recruitment process

Fabio Paratici wants to replicate his work at Tottenham Hotspur in Italy, describing the club's facilities as of a 'superior standard'.

Fabio Paratici has reflected on his time at Tottenham Hotspur, offering a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of life in north London. The 53-year-old enjoyed two spells at Hotspur Way, with the first of which beginning in the summer of 2021.

Paratici was at the helm until in April 2023, when he resigned after an appeal against a 30-month ban for financial irregularities was rejected by Italy's highest sports court. The Italian was suspended in light of Juventus, where he was previously a sporting director and managing director, being found guilty of of false accounting.

The Old Lady were deducted 10 points in the Serie A. Then, in September 2025, a plea bargain request was accepted and Paratici, among other former Juventus executives, were spared a 18-month prison sentence.

A month later, and two-and-a-half-years following his ban, he was named co-sporting director, alongside Johan Lange. Just three months after returning to Hotspur Way, Tottenham confirmed that Paratici would leave to take up a similar role at Fiorentina from February.

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In an interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, he reflected on his time in north London. Paratici said: "The Premier League is as good as the NBA. I’ll just tell you that the head of human resources evaluated 50 resumes for my assistant. Everything there is perfect, and of a superior standard.

"They run more, but above all they run the ball faster. They have to learn to pass better for that, and the training pitches are always mowed and wet. Technique comes naturally that way."

Paratici wants to replicate his work at Tottenham in Italy. He continued: "First and foremost, extensive training for the 110 employees at the training centre.

"It’s essential because I study every day of my life, while in Italy everything is empirical. I’m talking about numbers, not algorithms, which would just screw things up.

"The numbers give me the names of the three best players for the position I’m looking for, then the choice is mine and it also depends on gut feeling. Intuition is crucial."

"Whereas here, everything is considered an opinion, and as such, it’s legitimate. Instead, I say that missing three World Cups isn’t an opinion, it’s a fact. Terrible."

On his ban from football, Paratici said: "I don’t feel guilty of anything, if that’s what you’re asking. That said, it was a very difficult experience because the criminal investigation lasted five and a half years, and it took strength to sustain it.

"I was convicted for a technical-financial strategy that involved many internationals," added the former Tottenham chief. "An unprecedented accounting principle was applied, which I’m waiting to review.

"The documents mention this, not inflated capital gains, as is being rumoured. In a sporting trial, you can’t defend yourself; there’s little you can do. I wanted to close the criminal trial so I could start living again."