Ange Postecoglou confirms Tottenham's worst-kept secret about Fabio Paratici

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed the worst kept secret at Tottenham - that former managing director Fabio Paratici is still working for the club.

Paratici resigned his post in April 2023 after failing to overturn a worldwide 30-month ban from working in football but elements of his suspension have since been lifted, allowing him to continue advising the club on a consultancy basis.

The Italian, who joined Spurs in June 2021, has attended several matches this season and remains close to the club's chairman Daniel Levy.

Paratici has an excellent track record in the transfer market and was influential in the recruitment of Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, and played a role in identifying January signing Radu Dragusin.

Since Paratici's departure, Spurs have restructured, with Johan Lange named technical director in October, a month after the arrival of Scott Munn in the newly-created position of chief football officer.

But asked if he was in contact with Paratici, Postecoglou told Standard Sport: "I don't have a lot of dialogue with too many people. That's how I structure my working life, I keep these things to a minimum.

"Obviously I know Fabio and every now and then we'll exchange messages or calls. He's a smart guy and you can see that he's got a great eye for talent but within the workings of the club and what I do, I don't have that kind of engagement. Not just with Fabio but with most people.

"It's more about what the priority is right now, this week, and my focus is on the football and the football department."