Tottenham ‘close in on securing Fabio Paratici’ as new director of football… but deal is not linked to Antonio Conte joining club as new manager despite pair working together at Juventus
- Tottenham are believed to be close to bringing in Fabio Paratici to the club
- He left Juventus in the summer and Spurs have been keen to bring him in
- However his arrival is not tied to that of Antonio Conte as potential new boss
- Pair worked together in Italy for the three years Conte was Juventus manager
Tottenham are reportedly close to securing Fabio Paratici as their director of football after he left Juventus in the summer.
Spurs have not had a director of football since 2008, but have been pushing to bring Paratici to north London as they look to rebuild after the departure of Jose Mourinho.
According to The Athletic, only a few details are left to be agreed and it looks extremely likely that the 48-year-old will join the club.
Tottenham are believed to be close to bringing in Fabio Paratici as their director of football
The move does not necessarily mean however that Antonio Conte is more likely to join the club
However, Sportsmail understands that this does not have any impact on the possibility of bringing in Antonio Conte as manager, with Tottenham wanting Paratici regardless of what Conte decides about his future.
The pair worked together when the Italian managed Juventus between 2011 and 2014, leading the team to three Serie A titles.
Talks are ongoing between Conte and Tottenham, however the 51-year-old is understood to have reservations over the club’s ambition and needs convincing that Tottenham are fully committed to challenging for the biggest trophies.
Regardless of his decision, Paratici looks almost certain to arrive in north London and his role will be largely focused on player recruitment.
Conte worked with Paratici at Juventus between 2011 and 2014 and won three Serie A titles
He became available after Juventus decided not to renew his contract and In a press conference on Friday, club president Andrea Agnelli paid tribute to the work Paratici had done in his time at the Italian giants during which he won 19 trophies.
‘Today we are here, above all, to celebrate 11 years with Fabio,’ Agnelli said.
‘We have won a lot, enjoyed happy moments, created great sports development projects, such as Juventus Women and the Under 23.
‘I am thinking of the many players he brought here: I will mention three: Tevez, Dybala, Cristiano Ronaldo. My only regret? Van Persie…
Andrea Agnelli paid tribute to Paratici for his achievements and described him as ‘a winner’
‘Fabio could talk about football for hours, and you wouldn’t stop listening to him. A boy arrived at Juventus and now leaves as a man, who has the great merit of curiosity, talent, instinct, responsibility.
‘He is a winner. Fabio was the protagonist in what was perhaps the most difficult moment in the history of football: nothing was normal, and those who experienced it from the inside know it well.
‘Together we came to the conclusion that perhaps it was time to undertake a different journey. And I can only say, in my name and in the name of all of Juventus: thank you. It’s been a fantastic 11 years.’
The director of football won 19 trophies during the 11 successful years he spent at Juventus
However, Paratici refused to be drawn into discussing his future and the potential move to Tottenham.
‘I don’t think this is the right time to talk about other clubs today it’s my Juventus farewell today,’ he said.
‘My family hopes that I will find a job quickly.
‘Working at Juventus is a real education in terms of mentality and style. Obviously, you hope to learn something at every club, but I will certainly bring that with me in future.’