Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici’s has resigned from his role as managing director after the appeal against his two-and-half year global ban from football was rejected.
The club’s managing director of football was originally hit with a suspension from Italian football for his role in alleged financial irregularities relating back to his time at Juventus in January.
That was extended to a worldwide ban by FIFA last month, a development that saw the Spurs release a statement confirming the administrator would step away from his role pending the result of the appeal.
But Paratici saw that appeal to the Italian Olympic Committee thrown out, meaning he was unlikely to return to work.
And the club confirmed on Friday morning in a statement that Paratici would be resigning from his role in order to 'focus on his legal position in respect of the FIGC and FIFA rulings'.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: 'This has been a stressful time for Fabio and his family. We wanted to ensure that we allowed for due process to be followed. Fabio is a man who lives and breathes football - we wish him well.
'As outlined in our year end results, we started several months ago to restructure our football operations and last week announced the appointment of Scott Munn as Chief Football Officer to head up all the departments. We shall continue to strengthen our football functions over the coming months.'
It is understood that Spurs’ performance director Gretar Steinsson and director of football administration and governance Rebecca Caplehorn have been taking on the responsibilities vacated by Paratici in the short-term.
With the club searching for a new manager and a summer of recruitment ahead, Paratici’s resignation following his suspension leaves Tottenham effectively without a head of football.
Harry Kane’s future will also become an issue this summer given he is entering the final 12 months of his deal, though the current indications are that chairman Daniel Levy is unwilling to sell the England captain ahead of next season even though the striker can leave for nothing next year.
It all means the club face a huge summer in their future without someone leading the football side of operations, plunging the club into further crisis after a dismal and chaotic season.
Sources have indicated that Levy will look to replace Paratici rather than promote from within his existing staff.
A number of current sporting directors in England and in Europe have been alerted to the uncertainty surrounding Paratici’s future.
Meanwhile, Mail Sport understands the club are exploring an interest in Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese is rated among the best emerging coaches in Europe and is on Tottenham’s radar. He has also been on Chelsea’s radar. Tottenham insist the appointment of Antonio Conte’s long-term successor is an open process with no set first-choice as it stands.
Julian Nagelsmann has major support at Spurs, but the German is understood to prefer a move to Chelsea.
Luis Enrique and Arne Slot are also a realistic options for Spurs, while Vincent Kompany is of interest - though Burnley are keen to tie the Belgian down to a new deal.
Mauricio Pochettino is the preferred candidate for a number of players and the large sections of the fanbase, but his appointment is viewed as unrealistic.
Brendan Rodgers is also available and has been considered in the past.