Roberto Donadoni

Who is this?

Roberto Donadoni (Italian pronunciation: [roˈbɛrto donaˈdoːni]; born 9 September 1963) is an Italian professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder, who was most recently the head coach of Serie B 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 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 FC the season after.

Career

1. 1963
   Born
2. 1982
   Joined Atalanta BC
3. 1984
   Joined Italy national under-21 football team
4. 1986
   Joined AC Milan
5. 1986
   Joined Italy men's national association football team
6. 1991
   Won Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
7. 1996
   Joined Red Bull New York
8. 1997
   Joined AC Milan
9. 1999
   Joined Al Ittihad FC

Trivia

• •Place of birth: Cisano Bergamasco
• •Citizenship: Italy
• •Known as: association football player, association football coach
• •Sport: association football