Roberto Donadoni (; born 9 September 1963) is an Italian professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. He was most recently the head coach of club Spezia.
A skilful and versatile winger, Donadoni was capable of playing on either flank, or in the centre. He began his career with Atalanta, and later he became a pillar of the powerhouse AC Milan team of the late 1980s and early 1990s, achieving domestic and international success during his time with the club. In his later career, he was also one of the pioneers of Major League Soccer, where he played two seasons for the MetroStars, before ending his career with Saudi Premier League side Al-Ittihad in 2000.
At international level, Donadoni was also an important member of the Italy national team throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He represented his country at the 1988 and 1996 UEFA European Championships, and at the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups. With Italy, he reached the semi-finals of Euro 1988, and won bronze and silver medals at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups respectively, earning 63 caps and scoring five goals over a decade.
Following his playing career, Donadoni began a career as a manager in 2001, which included spells with Italian clubs Lecco, Livorno and Genoa. He was later appointed head coach of the Italy national team, succeeding Marcello Lippi, who resigned after having won the 2006 World Cup. At Euro 2008, with Donadoni as coach, Italy reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, losing to eventual champions Spain on penalties. On 26 June 2008, Donadoni was dismissed despite having signed a contract extension prior to the beginning of Euro 2008, using a clause in the contract which allowed termination if Italy did not reach the semi-final. He was replaced by Lippi, who returned as national team manager. Following his position as Italy head coach, Donadoni managed Napoli, Cagliari and Parma, until the latter club's bankruptcy in 2015. He joined Bologna the following season and then Chinese Super League club Shenzhen the season after.
Club career Atalanta and AC Milan Donadoni started his career with Atalanta in 1982, winning the Serie C1 title, and the Serie B title in 1984. He joined AC Milan in 1986 and he became a mainstay in the legendary team that dominated Italy and Europe in the late 1980s and early-to-mid-1990s. Usually playing a right-sided wide midfield role, Donadoni was a vital part of Milan's squad under both Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, winning six Serie A titles, three European Cups, four Supercoppa Italiana, three European Super Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups during his time at Milan. Although Donadoni failed to win the Coppa Italia with Milan, he reached the final twice, during the 1989–90 and 1997–98 seasons.
During the 1988–89 European Cup campaign, Donadoni was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken jaw after a violent tackle from Goran Vasilijević in the second leg of the second-round match against Red Star Belgrade. He required treatment on the pitch from Milan masseur Angelo Pagani, Milan doctor Ginko Monti, and a member of the Red Star medical staff to stop him choking; he was rushed to hospital, where he regained consciousness soon after. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, and went to a penalty shoot-out as a result of the 2–2 aggregate scoreline, with Milan prevailing and advancing to the next round. On 19 April 1989, he scored a goal in a 5–0 win over Real Madrid in the second leg of the 1988–89 European Cup semi-finals, which saw Milan advance to the final 6–1 on aggregate. In the final of the European Cup, he assisted Gullit's goal in a 4–0 win over Steaua București.
He provided the assist for Daniele Massaro's goal in a 4–0 victory over Barcelona in the 1994 UEFA Champions League final.
MetroStars After winning his fifth Serie A title with Milan, he went on to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. The NY/NJ MetroStars of MLS made him a centerpiece of their franchise when they signed him in 1996. During his first year with the Metros, he was recalled to the Italy national team. He proved a solid performer, being named to the league Best XI in 1996, and was also named an MLS Eastern Conference All-Star, winning the inaugural 1996 MLS All-Star Game 3–2 over the Western Conference MLS All-Stars. Unfortunately, Donadoni's play could not bring the MetroStars any success as a club. In total, Donadoni scored six goals for the MetroStars.
Second spell at Milan and final season with Al-Ittihad Donadoni briefly rejoined Milan after the 1997 MLS season, helping lead them to another Coppa Italia final in 1998 during Fabio Capello's second spell with the club. He also won another Serie A title under Alberto Zaccheroni in 1999, his sixth and final career Serie A title. In total, Donadoni scored 18 career Serie A goals for Milan in 287 appearances, and 23 in 390 appearances throughout all competitions.
He ended his career by playing for a short time with Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, winning the Saudi Premier League during the 1999–2000 season, and officially retiring from professional football soon after.
International career Youth career, senior debut, Euro 88, and 1990 World Cup A member of the Italy under-21 national football team, reaching the final of the 1986 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Donadoni made his Italy national team senior debut on 8 October 1986, under Azeglio Vicini in a 2–0 victory over Greece.
He soon became a key member of his national side, reaching the semi-finals of Euro 1988, and he subsequently played in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, on home soil, helping Italy to a third place finish. Unfortunately, he missed one of the penalties in the fateful semi-final shoot-out against defending champions and eventual runners-up Argentina. Overall, he made five appearances throughout the tournament, missing out on the 2–0 round of 16 victory against Uruguay due to injury, and the 2–1 bronze medal match victory against England. For his performances, he was named to the 1990 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.
1994 World Cup and Euro 96 Donadoni also took part at the 1994 World Cup, under Arrigo Sacchi, helping Italy to a second-place finish, where Italy would once again be defeated on penalties, by Brazil, after a goalless draw. However, on this occasion Donadoni did not take a penalty in the final shoot-out. En route to the final, he set up Dino Baggio's goal in Italy's 2–1 quarter-final victory over Spain, and also provided the throw-in on the left flank from which Roberto Baggio scored his first goal in Italy's 2–1 over Bulgaria in the semi-finals of the tournament. Throughout the tournament, he completed the second most dribbles (28), behind only Bulgaria's Krasimir Balakov (31).
He also represented Italy at Euro 1996, which would be his final international tournament prior to his international retirement, appearing in all three group matches. His final appearance for Italy was on 19 June 1996, in the final group match, which ended in a 0–0 draw against the eventual champions Germany, eliminating the Italians in the first round of the tournament. Overall, Donadoni made 63 appearances for Italy, scoring five goals.
Player profile Reception and legacy Donadoni is regarded by several pundits as one of Italy's greatest ever wingers and by some as one of the best players in his position, both of his era and in the history of the game. He is also considered to be one of the best players of his generation, one of Italy's greatest players after World War II, and one of the greatest players in AC Milan's history. He was an important member of his club and national sides throughout his career. Michel Platini described him as Italy's greatest player of the 1990s.
Style of play Donadoni was a consistent, versatile, and talented player, who was capable of playing anywhere in midfield except for defensive midfield. Due to his versatility, he could play on either wing, through the centre, or as an attacking midfielder, although he was most frequently deployed on the right flank, but would often switch positions over the course of a match. When deployed on the left wing, he often cut inside into the centre of the pitch. He stood out for his explosive pace, agility, dribbling skills, creativity, and technical ability; he often beat players with feints both in one on one situations, or when undertaking individual runs. He was also known for his stamina, defensive work-rate, and tactical intelligence, which enabled him to function as a box-to-box player. Particularly in his later career he operated in a more creative midfield role as a playmaker, due to his ability to orchestrate attacking moves for his team with his vision and passing. Donadoni was capable of delivering assists to teammates in the area from curling crosses or set-pieces. Although he was not a particularly prolific player in front of goal throughout his career, he was also a powerful and accurate striker of the ball from distance with either foot, despite being naturally right-footed, and an effective free kick taker. He was also known for his reserved character off the pitch. Regarding his playing style, Donadoni once commented "My greatest satisfaction comes from making the pass that leads to the goal." Some of his major influences were Gianni Rivera, Johann Cruyff, and Franz Beckenbauer.
Managerial career Early club career: Lecco, Livorno, and Genoa After retiring as a player, Donadoni trained to become a coach. His first job was as Lecco and he made his debut on 12 August 2001 in the Coppa Italia Lega Pro. This was followed by jobs with Livorno (2002–03) and Genoa (2003). In 2005, he returned to head Livorno in mid-season. After leading them to a surprising ninth-place finish and having the club in sixth place midway through the 2005–06 season, Donadoni resigned over criticism from club chairman Aldo Spinelli.
International career In July 2006, following the resignation of Marcello Lippi three days after the Italy national team won the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Donadoni was named as new Italian head coach, his first task being to successfully lead Italy through qualification for UEFA Euro 2008.
On 16 August, Donadoni made his Italy head coaching debut in a friendly match against Croatia played at Stadio Armando Picchi, Livorno, which did not feature any of the 23 world champions, save for third goalkeeper Marco Amelia, and ended in a 2–0 defeat. Donadoni took solace in the fact Lippi's first match in charge of the Azzurri was also a 2–0 friendly defeat, to Iceland in August 2004.
Path to Euro 2008 Donadoni's competitive debut came in Euro 2008 qualifying. Italy drew its first match 1–1 with Lithuania, then lost 3–1 to France. Accordingly, Italian newspaper La Naziones front page featured, "How to reduce Lippi's masterwork to pieces in just three weeks,"Beleaguered Donadoni to turn to Totti requesting the return of Lippi. However, despite all the critics, Donadoni led Italy to five consecutive wins to Georgia (3–1), Ukraine (2–0) and Scotland (2–0), the former being controversial for his omission of star Alessandro Del Piero from the squad. One of the main criticisms addressed by the media towards Donadoni was his alleged lack of pressure in persuading Francesco Totti to play again for the Azzurri. Following a question regarding a possible call-up for the Roma player, Donadoni jokingly claimed not to know him.Goal.com – Italy – Totti Who? – Donadoni
Italy qualified for Euro 2008 after a successful campaign, topping the group ahead of France, in spite of the shaky start. They defeated Scotland 2–1 in Glasgow to confirm their qualification.
Euro 2008 campaign