Tottenham in talks to appoint Piero Ausilio as sporting director

Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to appoint Piero Ausilio, Inter's long-serving former sporting director, to the same role from the January transfer window, according to Gazzetta Italia. An agreement is reportedly close, with Ausilio set to work alongside head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

  • Role: Sporting director
  • Club: Tottenham Hotspur
  • From: Inter (former sporting director)
  • Start: January transfer window
  • Status: Talks ongoing, agreement close (per Gazzetta Italia)
  • Key link: Would work alongside head coach Roberto De Zerbi

The deal details

Ausilio spent 28 years at Inter, most recently as sporting director, and had reportedly intended only a brief break from football before Tottenham's approach. The report suggests an agreement is close and that he would begin work from the January window.

No contract length or salary details have been reported. Tottenham have not commented on the speculation.

Why this appointment matters

Tottenham's transfer strategy has come under scrutiny after a series of expensive signings that have not yet translated into Premier League results. The club signed Sandro Tonali for €108 million, making him the most expensive Italian player in history, Mateus Fernandes for €99 million, Savinho for €88 million, Paul van Hecke for €60 million and Adarabioyo for €12 million.

They also brought in Marmoush and Mudryk on loan, and completed free transfers for Senesi, Robertson and Dubravka. Despite that outlay, Spurs sit 17th in the Premier League, having gone four league matches without a win, with their only recent victory coming in the League Cup.

De Zerbi link adds intrigue

The fit with Roberto De Zerbi is described as obvious. Tottenham's head coach is an exacting ideologue who needs alignment around him, and Ausilio would arrive with experience from one of Europe's most pressurised environments. The report notes he "would work alongside Roberto De Zerbi", suggesting Spurs want a football executive who can turn lavish spending into coherent squad building rather than merely an administrator.

Analysis: Why Tottenham need Ausilio's structure

Tottenham's recent business reads like a club in a hurry. Tonali, Fernandes, Savinho, van Hecke and Adarabioyo represent significant investment, while the loans of Marmoush and Mudryk and free transfers of Senesi, Robertson and Dubravka add depth. There is talent, and a familiar Italian thread through Tonali and Destiny Udogie, but spending alone guarantees nothing.

If Ausilio arrives, the hope is that signings start to fit a plan, that expensive arrivals are chosen for balance as well as brilliance, and that De Zerbi receives the support serious coaches need. The Italian has lived through pressure at a giant club, which could bring calm judgement to a squad that has lacked certainty.

With Tonali, Udogie, Kulusevski and Bentancur providing quality and personality, the raw materials are there. What has been missing is a coherent structure above the manager. Ausilio's appointment would be a step towards building from the top down, with De Zerbi's football and Ausilio's experience pulling in the same direction.

Talking points

  • Does Tottenham's squad need a sporting director more than another big-money signing? The recent outlay suggests recruitment, not investment, is the issue.
  • Can Ausilio replicate his Inter success in the Premier League, or will the different market and league structure limit his impact?
  • Will De Zerbi genuinely cede control over transfers, or is this a cosmetic appointment to appease frustrated supporters?
  • If Spurs remain 17th in January, will Ausilio's first window be about building for next season rather than saving this one?

What happens next

Tottenham's immediate focus is on ending their four-match winless run in the Premier League. If Ausilio's appointment is confirmed, he is expected to start in January, when he will oversee recruitment alongside De Zerbi. The club's league position and the January window will shape how quickly he can impose his influence.

Frequently asked questions

Is Piero Ausilio joining Tottenham?

Yes, according to Gazzetta Italia, Tottenham are in talks to appoint him as sporting director from the January transfer window, and an agreement is reported to be close.

When will Piero Ausilio start at Tottenham?

He is expected to take up the role from the January transfer window.

Who will Piero Ausilio work with at Tottenham?

He would work alongside head coach Roberto De Zerbi, according to the report.

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