Tottenham confirm Fabio Paratici has RESIGNED as managing director after failed appeal

Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici has resigned after the appeal against his two-and-a-half year global suspension from football was rejected.

The club’s general manager of football was initially suspended from Italian football for his role in alleged financial irregularities related to his time at Juventus in January.

That was extended to a global suspension by FIFA last month, a development that saw Spurs release a statement confirming the manager would step down from his role pending the outcome of the appeal.

But Paratici saw that appeal to the Italian Olympic Committee rejected, meaning he was unlikely to return to work.

And the club confirmed in a statement on Friday morning that Paratici would step down from his post to “focus on his legal position in relation to the FIGC (Italian FA) and FIFA rulings.”

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: ‘This has been a stressful time for Fabio and his family. We wanted to make sure we made sure that due process was followed. Fabio is a man who lives and breathes football – we wish him well.

As outlined in our year-end results, several months ago we began restructuring our football business and last week we announced the appointment of Scott Munn as Chief Football Officer to lead all divisions. In the coming months we will further strengthen our football functions.’

It is clear that Spurs’ Performance Director Gretar Steinsson and Director of Football Administration and Governance Rebecca Caplehorn have taken on responsibilities vacated by Paratici at short notice.

With the club looking for a new manager and a summer of recruitment ahead, Paratici’s resignation following his suspension effectively leaves Tottenham without a football head.

Harry Kane’s future will also be a problem this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, although current indications are that chairman Daniel Levy is unwilling to sell the England captain for next season, even if he could leave the rush hour for nothing. next year.

It all means that the club will face a huge summer in the future without someone to head the football department, sending the club into further crisis after a dismal and chaotic season.

Spurs are in a battle to qualify for the Champions League for next season as they are fifth in the table but are three points behind Newcastle and have played a game more than Eddie Howe’s side at St James’ Park this Sunday.

They also meekly crashed out of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League – meaning their time without silverware has been extended to 15 years since they won the League Cup in 2008.

Cristian Stellini – who replaced Antonio Conte on an interim basis until the end of the season when the former Chelsea boss was sacked last month – will see his side take on Newcastle, Manchester United, Liverpool and in-form Aston Villa in a tough last seven games of the season.

Sources have indicated that Levy will try to replace Paratici rather than be promoted within his existing staff.

A number of current sports directors in England and Europe have been warned about the uncertainty over Paratici’s future.

Meanwhile, Mail Sport has learned that the club is exploring interest in Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim.

The Portuguese is counted among the best up and coming coaches in Europe and is on Tottenham’s radar. He is also on Chelsea’s radar. Tottenham insist the appointment of Antonio Conte’s long-term successor is an open process with no firm first choice.

Julian Nagelsmann has great support at Spurs, but the German would rather move to Chelsea.

Luis Enrique and Arne Slot are also realistic options for Spurs, while Vincent Kompany is of interest – although Burnley are keen to commit the Belgian to a new contract.

Mauricio Pochettino is the favored candidate of some players and large sections of the fanbase, but his appointment is seen as unrealistic.

Brendan Rodgers is also available and has been considered in the past.