Fabio Paratici left Tottenham Hotspur at the turn of the year, joining Fiorentina. Things continue to be frustrating for La Viola and the Italian is at the centre of the storm again.
Paratici oversaw La Viola’s summer window, which saw them spend over €150m on incomings. Despite that, they are second bottom in Serie A, having already sacked Fabio Grosso after just three games.
They then brought Paolo Vanoli back to the club, months after he was sacked at the end of last season, despite keeping them in the division.
After some signs of promise, Fiorentina lost to Genoa at the weekend. Now, the ex-Tottenham director has become a target again.
Big criticism over ability
Journalist Enzo Bucchioni spoke to SportItalia about Fiorentina’s situation, and he had criticism for how the squad has been structured.
He said – via LabaroViola: “Fiorentina is a poorly constructed squad. Paratici spent a lot of money on a fragile team. They have many good players who may develop, starting with Mastantuono, who is a potential champion but isn’t a champion, and who has many limitations.”
Bucchioni further expressed belief nothing has changed after Grosso’s sacking.
“Little has changed between Vanoli and Grosso. Grosso’s comment to Paratici highlighted limitations that still exist today.”
Then, the journalist decided to focus on Paratici and his spells at Tottenham and Juventus.
“Paratici spent €220m if we include buy-outs. If you spend €220m, the team should be fighting for the Champions League, but instead they’re second to last. Paratici has done this kind of thing everywhere, at Juventus and Tottenham. He buys players he likes, but he doesn’t build a team.”
Fabio Paratici’s Tottenham signings
First-team recruitment during his official spells
| Player | Signed from | Window | Initial deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierluigi Gollini | Atalanta | Summer 2021 | Loan |
| Bryan Gil | Sevilla | Summer 2021 | Permanent |
| Cristian Romero | Atalanta | Summer 2021 | Loan; later permanent |
| Pape Matar Sarr | Metz | Summer 2021 | Permanent; loaned back |
| Emerson Royal | Barcelona | Summer 2021 | Permanent |
| Rodrigo Bentancur | Juventus | January 2022 | Permanent |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Juventus | January 2022 | Loan; later permanent |
| Ivan Perišić | Inter Milan | Summer 2022 | Free transfer |
| Fraser Forster | Southampton | Summer 2022 | Free transfer |
| Yves Bissouma | Brighton | Summer 2022 | Permanent |
| Richarlison | Everton | Summer 2022 | Permanent |
| Clément Lenglet | Barcelona | Summer 2022 | Loan |
| Djed Spence | Middlesbrough | Summer 2022 | Permanent |
| Destiny Udogie | Udinese | Summer 2022 | Permanent; loaned back |
| Arnaut Danjuma | Villarreal | January 2023 | Loan |
| Pedro Porro | Sporting CP | January 2023 | Loan; later permanent |
| Conor Gallagher* | Atlético Madrid | January 2026 | Permanent |
| Souza* | Santos | January 2026 | Permanent |
| 18 first-team signings across both official spells | |||
Each player counted once, at the initial signing.
*January 2026 recruitment took place under joint sporting directors
Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange.
Includes Sarr and Udogie, who were signed before being loaned back.
Excludes academy/U21 recruitment, loan returns and deals agreed
outside these official spells.
Recruitment was a club process; inclusion does not imply Paratici
alone selected or negotiated every signing.
Sources: Tottenham Hotspur announcements and transfer-window records.
Checked: 13 October 2026.
Our take: Marotta’s absence felt
Paratici’s best at Juventus came when he was operating under Beppe Marotta. After he left Juve for Inter Milan, his career took a big negative turn and the Bianconeri even faced points deductions under his management.
At Tottenham, he played a role in the Europa League win. But the impact of his spell is still being felt at the club.
Fiorentina are facing similar problems, as their squad looks quite unplanned. That is why they are struggling even now. While this could change in the next few games, it is increasingly clear Paratici isn’t as good as he was during his spell in Turin.
