Donadoni Tries to Hold FIGC Hostage; Doesn’t Realize They Don’t Care

By: Martha | December 19th, 2007

I. Rule. Roberto Donadoni’s current contract expires at the end of June, 2008, right after the Euros. Feeling all puffed up and pleased with himself after successfully guiding the Azzurri through qualifying, though, he’s preparing to enter in to negotiations for a contract extension, before he even gets to Austria. Because, you know, he’s just that freaking awesome — the way his team blew through qualifying, he sure as hell deserves to stay around for the World Cup, right? Oh, wait.

It’s more than a little hilarious that Donadoni seems to think himself in such a position of power that he wants to get an extension sorted out now, rather than to wait, and stay on if the Azzurri are successful at the Euros. I mean what gives him the idea that the FIGC are so attached to him that they’d want to keep on him, even if his team manage not to embarrass themselves in Austria and Switzerland?

The people at Channel 4 suggest Tha Don is feeling good about his position because Fabio Capello finally got a job and is no longer breathing down his neck, but if that’s the case, what about Carlo Ancelotti? If you believe the Italian press, he’ll leave Milan this summer in order to take over the Azzurri — maybe at this point the Don is the FIGC’s glorified seat-warmer, until Ancelotti comes available. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his head down and figure out how to win some matches — then the FIGC will come to him, rather than the other way around.

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Category: Azzurri, Rumors & News, Serie A

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Martha

What Ro said, Marco -- it's part of the contrived supposed future that will bring Mourinho to Milan: If the Azzurri crash out of the Euro 2008, Ancelotti will resign and go there; if they do well and the Don stays, Carlo goes to Barca. Simple as that! (Entirely made up by the press, but still.)
Ro

Marco you haven't hear that? It's been everywhere I've seen in multiple times it's actually kind of old. Ever since Murinho left chelsea.
Marco

Martha, where have you heard the Ancelotti-future-Azzurri-coach rumour? That's news to me...
Martha

He scored FOUR?! Jesus. I'm adding that to the roundup post Gabriel, thanks.
Francesco

I hope the FIGC doesn't give him a contract extension and don't make the same mistake they did with Trapattoni, who after WC 2002 still had contract until Euro 2004.
Martha

Hey Michael -- here's the post where you asked your question, several people answered in there, and everyone pretty much agreed that planning ahead is essentially impossible. (When you get back, please do tell us if you find out any tricks -- I'm sure I'm not the only one who's also trying to plan a trip.)
ReleaseTheKrasic

It amazes me to think that Donadoni believes he can actually get an extension this early in his trials with the azzurri. Lets wait and see what happens in the group of death before any rash decisions are made shall we? I think we are all rooting for him but the right move for the FIGC would be to wait it out at least until the Euros are underway.

Also, Martha, I had blogged a question a couple of weeks ago regarding how match day schedules are organized. Such as, what games are played Saturday or Sunday.

At this point im going to be travelling to Italy without knowing if the games are to be moved from Sunday to Saturday or vice versa. Do u have an approximate idea for how many weeks, days, minutes it takes before they announce when matches are to be played on what days??

Anything would be helpful because im struggling with flights, tickets, hotels, etc. Thanks.