Fabio Paratici left Tottenham for Fiorentina at the turn of the year and the Italian is now the subject of serious criticism.
Sport Witness have already covered the director’s drastic decision to sack Fabio Grosso at Fiorentina. This comes after the club spent heavily in the summer transfer window, being the highest spender in Serie A.
La Viola struggled against relegation last season. Paolo Vanoli successfully navigated a difficult period but despite that, Paratici sacked him. Now, he is back as manager, which makes the situation all the more strange.
As a result, the ex-Tottenham sporting director isn’t winning over too many people in Florence.
Attempt to replicate Spurs
Journalist Bargiggia has now taken a shot at the Italian, blaming him for the mess at Fiorentina.
He said – via LabaroViola, criticising the decision to sack Vanoli: : “The national football landscape needs transparent management figures who respect the fans. In Florence, the real culprit who should be removed from office is not Grosso, but Fabio Paratici.
“Since his arrival, he has overturned the corporate structure with inelegant methods towards Vanoli, the architect of the club’s survival in the top flight.”
The journalist expressed that he isn’t a fan of Paritci’s spells at Juventus or Tottenham.
“Paratici tends to have no spending limits when he uses other people’s capital. Just think of his past at Juventus, real historical facts, or his lacklustre experience at Tottenham.
“This transfer window, he spent €150m on Florence, promoting the signing of Grosso as the ideal candidate to make a qualitative leap.”
Bargiggia had strong criticism for the signings made, also urged Fiorentina fans to wake up to the reality.
“However, the signings chosen by the director have proven to be completely reckless: names fit for headlines and to ignite the crowd, but capable only of creating a squad lacking balance.”
“I want to sound a wake-up call. Viola fans, challenge Paratici’s management. It’s a mistake to entrust your desires to managers incapable of ensuring a real plan, and firing a manager after just three outings is clear proof of that. His transfer market expertise also raises concerns, given the deals he concluded solely for media hype.”
Our take: Criticism much deserved
Over the past few years, there have been signs Paratici can’t always be relied upon at the highest level.
At Juventus, his spell was full of legal trouble and the club also faced two separate points deductions for that. At Tottenham, his tenure saw the club flirt with relegation. And in Florence, things are clearly chaotic and bad sporting decisions have been made.
All that is worthy of criticism, and Fiorentina are lucky Vanoli has agreed to return. He knows the squad well after last season and can get them back on track.
