_(cropped).jpg) Donadoni withNapoli in 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Roberto Donadoni[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1963-09-09)9 September 1963 (age 62) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cisano Bergamasco, Italy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Spezia (head coach) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981–1982 | Atalanta | |||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1982–1986 | Atalanta | 96 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1996 | Milan | 261 | (18) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1997 | MetroStars | 49 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | Milan | 24 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Al-Ittihad | 15 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 445 | (29) | ||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984–1986 | Italy U21 | 13 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1996 | Italy | 63 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Lecco | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Lecco | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | Livorno | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Genoa | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | Livorno | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2008 | Italy | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Napoli | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Cagliari | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2015 | Parma | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2018 | Bologna | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | Shenzhen FC | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Spezia | |||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Roberto DonadoniCavaliere OMRI (Italian pronunciation:[roˈbɛrtodonaˈdoːni]; born 9 September 1963) is an Italian professionalfootballmanager and former player who played as amidfielder, who is currently the head coach ofSerie B clubSpezia.[2]
A skilful and versatilewinger, Donadoni was capable of playing on either flank, or in thecentre.[3] He began his career withAtalanta, and later he became a pillar of the powerhouseAC 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 ofMajor League Soccer, where he played two seasons for theMetroStars, before ending his career withSaudi Premier League sideAl-Ittihad in 2000.
At international level, Donadoni was also an important member of theItaly national team throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He represented his country at the1988 and1996European Championships, and at the1990 and1994FIFA 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 clubsLecco,Livorno andGenoa. He was later appointed head coach of the Italy national team, succeedingMarcello Lippi, who resigned after having won the2006 World Cup. AtEuro 2008, with Donadoni as coach, Italy reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, losing to eventual championsSpain 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 managedNapoli,Cagliari andParma, until the latter club's bankruptcy in 2015. He joined Bologna the following season and thenChinese Super League clubShenzhen FC the season after.
Donadoni started his career withAtalanta in 1982, winning theSerie C1 title, and theSerie B title in1984. He joinedAC 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 bothArrigo Sacchi andFabio Capello, winning sixSerie A titles, threeEuropean Cups, fourSupercoppa Italiana, threeEuropean Super Cups, and twoIntercontinental Cups during his time at Milan. Although Donadoni failed to win theCoppa Italia with Milan, he reached the final twice, during the1989–90 and1997–98 seasons.[4][5]
Donadoni was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken jaw after a violent tackle fromGoran Vasilijević in the1988–89 European Cup campaign in a match againstRed Star Belgrade. He required treatment on the pitch to stop him choking and was rushed to hospital, where he regained consciousness soon after.[6] On 19 April 1989, he scored a goal in a 5–0 win overReal Madrid in the 1989 European Cup semi-finals.[7] In thefinal of the European Cup, he assisted Gullit's goal in a 4–0 win overSteaua București.
He provided the assist forDaniele Massaro's goal in a 4–0 victory overBarcelona in the final of theUEFA Champions League.[8]
After winning his fifthSerie A title with Milan, he went on to play inMajor League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. TheNY/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 leagueBest XI in 1996, and was also named an MLS Eastern Conference All-Star, winning the inaugural1996 MLS All-Star Game 3–2 over the Western Conference MLS All-Stars.[9] Unfortunately, Donadoni's play could not bring the MetroStars any success as a club. In total, Donadoni scored six goals for the MetroStars.[5]
Donadoni briefly rejoined Milan after the1997 MLS season, helping lead them to anotherCoppa Italia final in1998 during Fabio Capello's second spell with the club. He also won another Serie A title underAlberto Zaccheroni in1999, 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.[4][5]
He ended his career by playing for a short time withAl-Ittihad ofSaudi Arabia, winning theSaudi Premier League during the1999–2000 season, and officially retiring from professional football soon after.[5]
A member of theItaly under-21 national football team, reaching the final of the1986 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Donadoni made hisItaly national team senior debut on 8 October 1986, underAzeglio Vicini in a 2–0 victory overGreece. He soon became a key member of his national side, reaching the semi-finals ofEuro 1988, and he subsequently played in the1990 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-upArgentina.[10] Overall, he made five appearances throughout the tournament, missing out on the round of 16 victory againstUruguay due to injury,[11] and the bronze medal match victory againstEngland.[12]
Donadoni also took part at the1994 World Cup, under Arrigo Sacchi, helping Italy to a second-place finish, where Italy would once again be defeated on penalties, byBrazil. However, on this occasion Donadoni did not take a penalty in the final shoot-out.[13] En route to thefinal, he set upDino Baggio's goal in Italy's 2–1 quarter-final victory overSpain,[14] and also provided the throw-in on the left flank from whichRoberto Baggio scored his first goal in Italy's 2–1 overBulgaria in the semi-finals of the tournament.[15][16] He also represented Italy atEuro 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 championsGermany, eliminating the Italians in the first round of the tournament.[17] Overall, Donadoni made 63 appearances for Italy, scoring five goals.[5][12]
Regarded as one of Italy's greatest everwingers, 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 thecentre, or as anattacking midfielder, although he was most frequently deployed on the right flank. He was an important member of his club and national sides throughout his career, standing out for his explosive pace, agility,dribbling skills, and technical ability; he often beat players withfeints both in one on one situations, or when undertaking individual runs. He was also known for his stamina and tactical intelligence, which enabled him to function as abox-to-box player. Particularly in his later career he operated in a more creative midfield role as aplaymaker, due to his ability to orchestrate attacking moves for his team with his vision and passing. Donadoni was capable of deliveringassists to teammates in the area fromcurlingcrosses orset-pieces. He was also a powerful and accurate striker of the ball from distance with either foot, despite being naturally right-footed, and an effectivefree kick taker.[3][4][5][18][19][20][21][22]Michel Platini described him as Italy's greatest player of the 1990s.[23][24] Regarding his playing style, Donadoni once commented "My greatest satisfaction comes from making the pass that leads to the goal."[25]
After retiring as a player, Donadoni trained to become a coach. His first job was asLecco and he made his debut on 12 August 2001 in theCoppa Italia Lega Pro.[26] This was followed by jobs withLivorno (2002–03) andGenoa (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 chairmanAldo Spinelli.
In July 2006, following the resignation ofMarcello Lippi three days after the Italy national team won the2006 World Cup, Donadoni was named as new Italian head coach,[27] his first task being to successfully lead Italy through qualification forUEFA Euro 2008.
On 16 August, Donadoni made his Italy head coaching debut in a friendly match againstCroatia played atStadio Armando Picchi,Livorno, which did not feature any of the 23 world champions, save for third goalkeeperMarco Amelia, and ended in a 2–0 defeat. Donadoni took solace in the fact Lippi's first match in charge of theAzzurri was also a friendly defeat, toIceland.
Donadoni's competitive debut came inEuro 2008 qualifying. Italy drew its first match 1–1 withLithuania, then lost 3–1 toFrance. Accordingly, Italian newspaperLa Nazione's front page featured, "How to reduce Lippi's masterwork to pieces in just three weeks,"[28] requesting the return of Lippi. However, despite all the critics, Donadoni led Italy to five consecutive wins toGeorgia (3–1),Ukraine (2–0) andScotland (2–0), the former being controversial for his omission of starAlessandro Del Piero from the squad.[29] One of the main criticisms addressed by the media towards Donadoni was his alleged lack of pressure in persuadingFrancesco Totti to play again for theAzzurri. Following a question regarding a possible call-up for theRoma player, Donadoni jokingly claimed not to know him.[30]
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 inGlasgow to confirm their qualification.
On 9 June 2008, Donadoni was handed the biggest defeat for Italy's national team in over 25 years by former Milan teammateMarco van Basten, a 3–0 loss to theNetherlands.[31] Italy captainFabio Cannavaro was unable to play due to injury,[32] and Donadoni was widely criticised for his choice of players for the match. His team drew the subsequent match withRomania on 13 June, despite some controversial officiating which saw a goal called back in each of these games creating intense criticism of the officials.[33] The team then beat France 2–0 on 17 June to progress to the quarter-finals against much-fanciedSpain,the eventual champions.[34] The two teams played out a 0–0 draw, the only match Spain was held scoreless in regular time throughout the tournament. However, the Spaniards won 4–2 on penalties.[35][36]
After Italy's disappointing performance at the tournament, on 26 June 2008 Donadoni was sacked by theItalian Football Federation (FIGC),[37] which named Lippi as his replacement.[38]
On 10 March 2009,Napoli announced it had appointed Donadoni as its new head coach following the termination ofEdoardo Reja after five years leading the club.[39] Donadoni's first match in charge was a 1–1 draw withReggina.
After a 2–1 loss to Roma on 6 October 2009, Donadoni was terminated as Napoli manager. He was replaced by formerSampdoria coachWalter Mazzarri.[40]
On 16 November 2010, it was announced Donadoni would become head coach of Serie A relegation battlersCagliari, replacingPierpaolo Bisoli.[41][42] After joining Cagliari, the club won its next two matches, 2–1 againstBrescia on 21 November and 3–2 againstLecce on 28 November.
However, on 12 August 2011, two weeks prior to the start of the2011–12 Serie A, Donadoni was surprisingly sacked by Cagliari chairmanMassimo Cellino.[43] Italian press sources cited divergencies between Donadoni and Cellino regarding the sale ofAlessandro Matri toJuventus and the affair involvingDavid Suazo, who first joined the pre-season training camp only to be asked to leave days later.[44]
Donadoni was in talks withIran Pro League sidePersepolis in December 2011. However, no contract was reached.
On 9 January 2012, Donadoni was unveiled as head coach of Serie A clubParma, replacingFranco Colomba.[45] Upon arriving at the club, the situation in the league table was critical for Parma, being close to the relegation zone.
Parma's results improved immediately under Donadoni, winning seven Serie A matches in a row, a club record. Parma would finish the season in eighth place in the league table, equal on points with seventh-placed Roma.
Donadoni's initial contract ran until 2013, but this was extended by two years in October 2012, the longest deal club presidentTommaso Ghirardi had made with a head coach. At the end of the2012–13 season, Parma impressed and finished in a comfortable tenth place, despite initial fears it would be relegated.[46] In2014, Donadoni guided Parma to sixth place in Serie A, helping the club to qualify for theUEFA Europa League for the first time since 2007. However, their entry to the tournament was barred because of the late payment of income tax on salaries, failing to qualify for a UEFA license, for which the club would also be docked seven points during the2014–15 Serie A season.[47][48]
The following season, Parma's continuing severe financial difficulties led to the club's eventualbankruptcy in March 2015, which meant the club be relegated. Although the FIGC allowed the club to complete the league season in Serie A, they finished bottom of the league in 20th place. Donadoni, who reported that he, as well as the Parma staff and players, had not received wages since July 2014, left the club at the end of the season.[49]
In October 2015, Donadoni was hired by newly promoted Serie A clubBologna as the club's new coach, replacingDelio Rossi.[50] Donadoni parted with Bologna on 24 May 2018.[51]
On 30 July 2019, Donadoni was appointed as manager of Chinese clubShenzhen FC.[52]
On 4 November 2025, almost six years after his last experience on the bench, Donadoni was signed bySpezia inSerie B in place of the sackedLuca D'Angelo.[2]
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| Lecco |  | 2 July 2001 | 3 December 2001 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 21 | +4 | 033.33 |
| Lecco | | 20 March 2002 | 22 June 2002 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 042.86 |
| Livorno | | 22 June 2002 | 30 June 2003 | 41 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 034.15 |
| Genoa | | 30 June 2003 | 21 September 2003 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 016.67 |
| Livorno | | 11 January 2005 | 6 February 2006 | 46 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 60 | 62 | −2 | 036.96 |
| Italy | | 13 July 2006 | 26 June 2008 | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 22 | +13 | 056.52 |
| Napoli | | 10 March 2009 | 6 October 2009 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 23 | 26 | −3 | 026.32 |
| Cagliari | | 16 November 2010 | 12 August 2011 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 13 | 33 | 43 | −10 | 037.04 |
| Parma | | 9 January 2012 | 22 June 2015 | 141 | 47 | 39 | 55 | 181 | 195 | −14 | 033.33 |
| Bologna | | 28 October 2015 | 24 May 2018 | 108 | 33 | 23 | 52 | 115 | 146 | −31 | 030.56 |
| Shenzhen FC |  | 30 July 2019 | 11 August 2020 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 23 | 33 | −10 | 014.29 |
| Spezia | | 4 November 2025 | present | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | !— |
| Total | 450 | 151 | 119 | 180 | 562 | 608 | −46 | 033.56 | |||
Atalanta[5]
Al-Ittihad[5]
Italy[5]
Individual
Italy squads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
