Paratici reveals when he decided to leave Tottenham for Fiorentina
New Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici says he decided to join the Tuscans from Tottenham in mid-December and warns that the Tuscans will have to ‘suffer’ until the end of the season.
Paratici was unveiled as the new Fiorentina director during a press conference today.
Paratici’s first press conference at Fiorentina
“I want to thank President Commisso and his family, as well as Ferrari,” he said via Violanews.
“I want to congratulate Joseph, who supported me after the passing of Rocco. I thank Tottenham, who gave me the chance to come to Fiorentina. I experienced five difficult years, but they made me feel at home.”
Fiorentina owner Commisso sadly passed away on January 17, and his son Joseph replaced him as the Viola’s president.
“Commisso didn’t have to convince me. I had to convince him and show I could be on his level,” Paratici said.
“The Fiorentina and the city’s DNA is one of a brand of beauty, and the team must represent the city. I have a strong sense of responsibility, mostly towards those who trust me.
“I decided to come to Fiorentina around December 15-16. They had seven points, and Alessandro [Ferrari] came to London,” Paratici continued.
“I decided to come to Fiorentina at that moment. It could seem a reckless decision, but it’s a brave decision instead. Fiorentina have serious owners and top-tier infrastructures. There’s a group of people I’ve felt in sync with and a city that gives an advantage in terms of visibility. Today, we must accept that for the next four months, we must put our heads in a tank and suffer. It’s not a situation that will be solved in a month.”
The Tuscans are currently in the relegation zone, but just one point below safety. Yet Paratici confirmed he’d remain at the Stadio Franchi long-term even in the case of relegation.
“I signed a four-and-a-half year contract when Fiorentina had six points in the table,” he said.
“There’s no clause tied to survival; it’s not part of who I am.
“As of today, we must be realistic and be focused together. I imagine the Fiorentina of the future as an attractive team, nice to watch and exciting for the fans and the media. It will be aggressive and play at a European level.”
Juventus are Fiorentina’s biggest rival, so does Paratici feel extra pressure having spent several years in Turin?
“I don’t feel any extra pressure because of that,” he admitted.
“The others’ expectations are the same as I have towards me and those who trust me.”
How about coach Paolo Vanoli?
“I spoke to him yesterday. I’ve known him for a while and I’ve followed his work. I know what sort of coach he is. He’s energetic, prepared and he takes care of every detail. He’s doing a great job, and I trust him and his staff.”
Paratici went on to explain his role at Fiorentina.
“It’s not just about buying players. We have to coordinate many areas if we want to be more European,” he said.
“People are more important than professionals. You get to know the players by talking to them rather than by watching them play.”
The Tuscans made several new signings in the January window, including Juventus defender Daniele Rugani.
“Rugani is a serious person. He has had great experiences. I know him well, and he’s underrated by many,” Paratici claimed.
“He has played finals and decisive games. He has no tattoos, earrings, and he doesn’t say swearwords. He’s a serious lad.”
Other ex-Juventus players in the Fiorentina squad include Moise Kean and Nicolò Fagioli.
“I saw Kean arrive at Juventus when he was 10. I already said in the past that he’s the best Italian striker, and it’s only up to him. We must put him in a condition to give his best. I haven’t talked to him yet. I know him so well that I don’t have much to tell him. He must focus on who we are today.
“Fagioli is a heritage of Italian football. I know his parents as he’s from Piacenza, like me,” Paratici continued.
“I’ve seen him grow. He has qualities that not many players have. He must add a fighting spirit and the desire to be a protagonist. He’s still young, and Fiorentina are a starting point for him.”
Earlier this season, Paratici had returned to Tottenham after the end of a 30-month ban.
“I’m a better person, more structured,” he concluded.
“Nobody at Juventus was sentenced for artificially inflated transfer values, but for an accounting policy that was never used before or after. I was ashamed because I had to defend myself from something I didn’t do. It was a difficult path.”