Former Inter Milan chief Piero Ausilio is on the verge of joining Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham ahead of the winter transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on an agreement to appoint Piero Ausilio as their new sporting director, with the experienced Italian executive expected to take charge at the club in January.
According to Corriere della Sera, Ausilio had initially wanted to take a break after leaving Inter Milan following 28 years at the club. However, Tottenham’s interest prompted him to reconsider retirement, with talks between the two parties now at an advanced stage.
Ausilio would reunite with Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham. The pair share a close friendship, while the Spurs manager has gained increasing influence over recruitment and squad-building since arriving at the club last year. That relationship could prove important in Ausilio’s decision to join the North London club.
The Italian transfer guru would be familiar with De Zerbi’s footballing ideas and would coordinate directly with him as the club looks to bring greater structure to an ambitious project that has struggled to produce consistent results.
Tottenham already have Johan Lange working as sporting director, but the club have previously shown that their structure can accommodate more than one senior figure. Lange worked alongside Fabio Paratici under a co-sporting director model before the latter left at the start of 2026 to join Fiorentina.
Why are Spurs interested in Ausilio?
Ausilio could fill the void left by Paratici, and his potential arrival comes at a difficult moment for Spurs. Despite a significant investment in the squad, Tottenham have struggled for results at the start of the campaign and currently sit 17th in the Premier League without a league victory after four matches. Their only success and goals scored so far has come in the EFL Cup.
The club spent heavily during the summer. They pretty much revamped their squad, despite the fact that the results are not going their way. The North Londoners cannot keep breaking the bank to get the results; Spurs want to have a better system in place, something the former Inter Milan chief can help them with.
Ausilio brings a proven recruitment track record, having shaped three title-winning Inter squads despite financial constraints, a model Tottenham aim to emulate as they rebuild. His January arrival would allow him to shape recruitment immediately, with the Lilywhites hoping his pedigree can restore consistency to their campaign.
