Donadoni axed as Italy boss

Coach leaves post after Euro 2008 exit

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 26th June 2008

Roberto Donadoni

Donadoni: Italy exit

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Roberto Donadoni has been sacked as coach of Italy following their quarter-final exit against Spain at Euro 2008.

Donadoni only took over as national team boss after Marcello Lippi stepped down in the wake of their 2006 World Cup triumph.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) made the announcement on their official website after president Giancarlo Abete met with the former Milan player.

Donadoni only signed a new contract with Italy before the start of the European Championship, but the deal was conditional on securing a semi-final berth.

Negative

Italy came close to crashing out of Euro 2008 during the group stages, only for Gianluigi Buffon's superb late penalty save against Romania to earn them a reprieve.

They progressed to the last eight with a 2-0 victory over 10-man France in their final Group C fixture, but lost a shoot-out against Spain after a negative display saw the two sides locked at 0-0 after extra time.

A statement from the FIGC read: "The Federation considers the contractual relationship with Roberto Donadoni to have run out at its natural expiry date."

Donadoni admitted he was disappointed to lose his job claiming a missed penalty in the shoot-out defeat to Spain cost him his job.

"I'm sorry that a penalty kick has decided this situation," Donadoni told ANSA news agency.

"Over these last two years, my Italy also did something positive, and one last game can't erase that."

Lippi had already emerged as a strong contender to return to the post before Donadoni's departure, and he could be back at the helm for the World Cup 2010 qualification campaign.