Roberto Donadoni Wants a New Contract

Seems Fabio Capello’s appointment as England boss has caused a huge sigh of relief in Roberto Donadoni’s house. It was an odd situation to have such an experienced manager out of work while such an inexperienced manager was in charge of the Azzurri. But Capello not only grabbed the (well-paying) England job with both hands, he also let it be known that he didn’t ever want to manage his own national team. Weird. But now that Donadoni no longer feels hot Capello breath on his neck, he’s gotten a little bolder and is planning on getting his contract - which currently expires after Euro 2008 - extended.

“We will certainly clarify my contract situation before the Euro Finals, that’s only logical,” said Donadoni. “FIGC President Giancarlo Abete is aware of this and he agrees with my logic on the matter.” Got to have some sympathy for Donadoni as he’s under immense pressure after stepping into the gigantic boots of World Cup winner Marcello Lippi. But I find his logic a little hard to follow. Euro 2008 is the place where we’ll find out what Donadoni’s made of, for better or worse, so surely the FIGC would be mad to extend his contract before seeing what happens this coming summer.