Former Spurs player praises Daniel Levy for ‘very clever’ thing he has done

Paul Robinson has praised Daniel Levy for his decision to continue relying on Fabio Paratici’s expertise even after the Italian was hit with a ban by FIFA last year.

Despite resigning from his position as Tottenham’s managing director of football back in April of last year following his ban by FIFA (part of which was later revoked), Paratici has continued to work as a consultant for the North London side.

In fact, various outlets have revealed that the 50-year-old has played a vital role in the clubs’ recruitment decisions during last summer’s transfer window as well as during last month’s window, with the Italian said to have worked closely with the club’s technical director Johan Lange (The Athletic).

Paratici has been a masterstroke hire for Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou admitted to Football.London last month that he has a good working relationship with Paratici and praised the Italian’s eye for talent.

Robinson believes that the former Tottenham managing director has done outstanding work since he first linked up with the club and praised Levy and co for continuing to stick by him.

When asked about Paratici’s input into the decisions following his ban, the former Spurs number one told Tottenham News: “I think his ban is in certain areas. If you read the fine print it’s to stop him doing certain things within the game. It’s not a complete football ban I don’t think.

“There’s nothing to stop Daniel Levy from having friends and taking advice from friends, so in that way, he’s been very, very clever if indeed that is the case, which we’re led to believe.

“Listen, Paratici’s been excellent for Tottenham. You look at the recruitment this season alone, at Vicario, at Ven de Ven, they’ve been two absolutely brilliant signings who, let’s be honest, not many of us knew too much about before they came into the Premier League.

“Last season, Bentancur and Kulusevksy, incredible finds at Juventus not playing week in and week out. His recruitment and the way that the squad’s been moulded with Ange this season as the new manager it’s only sensible that Daniel Levy should use him, or lend an ear if you like.

“There are obviously ways around, there’s loopholes to get around his ban, and what he’s actually, specifically banned from doing, but I think you have to read the fine print like I say. But again there’s nothing stopping people in this world having friends and listening to their advice.”

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Levy and the Tottenham hierarchy received a lot of flak for not cutting ties with Paratici sooner when the details of his ban became public. The easiest thing to do from a PR perspective at the time would have been for the club to wash their hands off the Italian.

The Spurs chairman is now reaping his rewards for keeping faith in the 50-yer-old, who continues to be a huge asset for the club in identifying talent and in conducting negotiations.