Spurs news: Franco Baldini leaves Tottenham Hotspur technical director position by mutual consent

Tottenham Hotspur have parted company with technical director Franco Baldini after a harrowing two-year spell at White Hart Lane. Within the two-tier structure much favoured by chairman Daniel Levy, the Italian was entrusted with dictating the club's dealings in the transfer market. However, with the club having slipped out of Premier League top four reckoning during the tenure his spell must be regarded as a failure.

According to The Daily Mail, Baldini has spent £183.65m ($279.5m) on transfers since his appointment in June 2013, which includes the additions of Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela, but during that period Spurs have failed to qualify for the Champions League and been through three managers. Baldini, who served as England assistant manager under Sven Goran Eriksson, was initially installed above Andre Villas-Boas, but suffered an inauspicious start after the Portuguese boss was sacked five months into his reign.

The 54-year-old was parachuted into the hotseat at White Hart Lane in an attempt to identify targets to cover for the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. But of the seven signings made in the aftermath of the Welshman's departure, only Christian Eriksen can be regarded. Mauricio Pochettino, who succeeded Tim Sherwood in the summer of 2014, continues to rebuild the squad following those misguided dealings.

"We can confirm that Franco Baldini has left the club by mutual consent," a Tottenham statement read. "Franco joined us as Technical Director in June 2013 from AS Roma where he was General Director. He leaves us now to spend time outside of club football. We wish him all the best for the future."

There is no indication from Tottenham whether they will retain the director of football model, which has often been adopted in north London, but at the time of writing both head of recruitment Paul Mitchell and chief scout Ian Broomfield remain in place. Pochettino has previously indicated that he should have the final say over potential transfers.

Speaking in March 2015, he said, according to BBC Sport: "The final decision [on signing players]? I think it should be me. It is very important that the players who stay here and who we bring in that I agree and it is my decision." The Argentinian guided the club to a fifth place finish in his first full season in charge, and following the 4-1 win over Manchester City they occupy an identical position after seven games of the new campaign.