'It's a very good move for Spurs' - Tottenham close to pulling off Piero Ausilio coup

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a coup to name former Inter Milan chief Piero Ausilio as their new sporting director.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes it will be a "very good move" if the Lilywhites can add the Italian to their hierarchy.

The 54-year-old recently left his role at Inter, where he had previously helped to rebuild over a 28-year period of service.

Wyness believes that if Ausilio does get the role in North London, then he may find himself fighting against the "internal politics" at the club.

Spurs have had a hugely challenging start to the new campaign, and have picked up just two points from their opening five Premier League games.

Roberto De Zerbi and his side are under huge pressure from the supporters, and it is not an easy place to work at the moment.

Lack of leadership to hinder Piero Ausilio

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the lack of "clear leadership" from the top at Tottenham could hinder Ausilio's ability to work effectively if he takes on the sporting director role.

The Scottish businessman feels that lack of authority at Spurs can often lead to prolonged decision-making, especially when it comes to recruitment.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that Ausilio may find it difficult at Tottenham, even with his pedigree.

"I've come across him a few times, and we've observed his work, and certainly I think it's a very good move for Spurs," he said.

"The issue is he's coming in after a pretty big transfer window. We all know how much they've spent, and so really is there going to be a lot of money for him to make moves next summer? 

"You can't really judge him even with January coming up. It's going to be next summer when things are going to start to come into his sort of control.

"The biggest problem I see for him right now is still the structure of no clear leadership, in my opinion, within Spurs. 

"He's a very good, qualified candidate. But it's the internal politics of Spurs that will be the issue as to whether he can perform to the best of his ability and use his network appropriately. 

"There's no doubt he can do it, and if he is just going to carry on being a central number one figure, that will help clarify things as opposed to having two or three people who may have been influential in decisions."

Who is Piero Ausilio?

Wyness previously told Football Insider back in March that current sporting director Johan Lange was under huge pressure at Tottenham, and it is clear from the links with Ausilio that those doubts haven't eased.

The Italian would bring a significant pedigree with him to North London, having been a central figure in helping Inter return to the top table of European football.

Ausilio played a key role in assembling the team that won the Nerazzurri their first Serie A title in 11 years back in 2020-21, before they then reached their first Champions League final in 13 years in 2022-23.

He was even awarded the Best Sporting Director award at Globe Soccer's annual awards ceremony in Dubai back in 2024.

Ausilio would bring an elite-level experience to the Tottenham hierarchy, and is widely regarded as one of the strongest recruitors around.