By Anna Italia
Covering the UEFA EURO 2008 from an Italian Perspective
Click here  to find everything about the UEFA EURO 2008 Italian National Team


Whether it is supposed to be a secret or not, Italian Head Coach Roberto Donadoni already  know "the top secret" of his almost guaranteed sacking.  Despite renewing his contract until the 2010 World Cup  during the EURO 2008, it seems that just like Andrea Bocelli would sing "Time to say goodbye." 

Let's be honest guys, from the personal point of view we have nothing against Donadoni who is a true gentleman.  What puzzles me so much is that despite the negative results of the EURO 2008 / Gli Europei, I will say that almost the entire team is supporting Donadoni to continue as coach. 

                       

It should not puzzle me that much because as Donadoni said, "on the human side, what I did, was a nice reward."  True, almost every declaration from the Azzurri they seem very genuine when talking about Donadoni, but for me that is not enough.  Ideally, the human side approach should go hand by hand with technical tactical knowledge, just like it happened with Marcelo Lippi.         

I understand Donadoni position that Italy did not lose the match on the field but on penalties: Quarterfinals SPAIN 4 - 2 ITALY.  Yet, it is also true that we did lose the EURO on the field because not only Italy could not win their 3 matches,  but never show quality football as defending World Cup Champions, period.  I rest my case.

Fact is that almost every media declares that Marcelo Lippi is on his way to replace Donadoni as earlier as next Monday! 
Donadoni and the President of the Italian Federation (FIGC) Giancarlo Abete will meet this week.  Arguably the decision wil be announced next week.  Hey, it will be a real shock if after all the rumors, Abete announced to keep Donadoni.

Here is the record of the Italian National team for the EURO 2008.

• Netherlands 3 - 0 Italy. Monday, June 9, 2008

• Italy 1 - 1 Romania  Friday, June 13, 2008

• France 0  - 2 Italy, Monday, June 17, 2008

Quarterfinals SPAIN 4 - 2 ITALY, Sunday, June 22, 2008

One thing I like about Donadoni is his class, his sense of loyalty.  Supposedly, it the Italian Federation want to sack him, they would have to pay 550  thousand euros to Donadoni.

Yet, Donadoni said that if the Federation doesn't want him anymore, he will not want any single penny from the Federation.  "I will leave without asking anything." Wow, that's class beyond description.

I guess Lippi will have to resign to his current job with Sky Italia as commentator and start preparing to REBUILD the 2006 World Cup Champions to glory once again. 

Reportedly, Lippi would get 1.2 million euros for season, same as paid to Donadoni.  The next thing to ask is whether Lippi wants to keep the same squad or who will not be among the called up players anymore.

However, the really big question is whether Lippi would be able to repeat his work by winning the 2010 World Cup.  What do you think?




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