Tottenham’s search for a new sporting director has been put on hold until the end of the summer transfer window, with full focus on rebuilding Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.
Spurs hired Fabio Paratici last October to work with Johan Lange in a two-sport director system, but the Italian left the Premier League club in February and returned to Italy for personal reasons.
Another sporting director was due to be brought in this summer, but chief executive Vinai Venkatesham confirmed it was no longer necessary.
Lange, coach De Zerbi and Rafi Moersen, who has joined as director of football operations, are the main recruits of the club in this transfer window.
Tottenham fans, how would you rate the club’s business so far this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
Asked about the search for a sporting director, Venkatesham said in a few minutes of the Fan Advisory Board meeting: “The club trusts our people, but if we find someone who can accompany our existing team and make it better, we will do that at the right time (and the summer window is not that time).
“No one has been on the list of those who have banned us. Many names in the media are connected to us, we have never even spoken to them.”
Venkatesham said in the minutes of the meeting that the season was “unacceptable and will not happen again”, and that “the desire to fight for big trophies and play the style of football that our fans want to see”.
He also offered a strong defense of Lange, who has come under fire from fans after Tottenham finished 17th in two full seasons at the Danish club.
“Players are not bought or sold because ‘the club’ wants it or ‘Roberto’ wants it,” he said. “Johan and his team are working with Roberto to create and deliver a joint plan.
“Roberto joined because he believed in what we could do together as a team. He didn’t have a final bonus, he never asked to control any decision-making, and he was completely committed to the team when we were dismissed.
“Johan played a key role in his appointment. Roberto has always been a frontrunner and we are delighted with the impact he has made so far.”
Alasdair Gold says Tottenham are now in ‘advanced discussions’ to make the surprise signing
The Spurs came out of left field with this one.
Tottenham transfer review: £185m deal eyed for two midfielders
While they still have a way to go to regain the trust of Tottenham fans, it’s fair to say that the club’s management have started the summer on the front foot, sealing deals for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke for a total of £52m.
Next on the agenda is improving the midfield, with the likes of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes both linked with big-money moves, and Fabrizio Romano revealed some exciting news to fans on Wednesday morning.
Of course, according to the journalist, it is not a crime when talking about two midfielders as Spurs are ‘working’ on both of them at the same time.
“Tottenham is also there (for Fernandes), because Tottenham is also talking about a different story to Sandro Tonali, Sandro Tonali is still there.
“So, Tottenham are working on it and Manchester United are working on it.”
Romano confirmed West Ham’s opening bid for Fernandes is £85m, while the BBC report Tonali could be closer to £100m after Newcastle rejected Spurs’ opening bid of £80m.
This could take Tottenham’s spending of £185m on the two midfielders and closer to £250m in total in the summer, with the Lilywhites still looking to bring in a new central midfielder.
Spurs have sent officials to sign the Premier League striker ahead of Man Utd
He was in great form at the World Cup.
