of his Spurs career and Paolo Tramezzani failing to impress. He played a total of 29 league matches in the 1999–2000 season. In the summer of 2000, after Ben Thatcher was signed as left-back option, Ipswich Town tried to sign Taricco back, but the deal was rejected. The Argentinian played only five times in the 2000–01 season, being sidelined for most of the season due to injuries. He returned as a starter in the following season as a right-back, filling in for the injured Stephen Carr and playing 30 Premier League matches in the season, even though he missed five matches for consecutive sending offs against Manchester United and Chelsea in March 2002. Taricco also played in the 2002 Football League Cup Final where his side lost to Blackburn Rovers. Taricco faced greater competition during the 2002–03 season as Carr recovered from his injury, returning to the left-back position. He played only 21 Premier League matches and scored his first goal for the Spurs in a 3–2 loss against Liverpool. Following Thatcher's departure to Leicester City, Taricco played 32 league matches during the 2003–04 season, scoring once against Leeds United early on 23 August 2003. His temperament came into question following spats with Chelsea's Scott Parker and Damien Duff in April 2004, and Taricco was banned for the first three matches of the 2004–05 season. In the summer of 2004, Taricco was overlooked by new manager Jacques Santini, who favoured the recently signed Erik Edman at left-back. He also failed to impress Martin Jol, who was appointed in November 2004 and was released in the same month. West Ham United On 19 November 2004, shortly after being a free agent, Taricco signed for West Ham United. He made his debut for the League Championship club as a starter in the Dockers derby against Millwall only two days after signing, but tore his hamstring and was replaced in the first half. Although the injury would have had him sidelined for eight weeks, he offered to have his contract with the club cancelled, which the club accepted, claiming he would not be able to contribute if he was having treatment for over two months. At the time, Alan Pardew, his manager, commented that it was one of the most honest things he had ever known a footballer to do. Shortly after, he confirmed his retirement from professional football. Italian amateur football Taricco,