Roberto Donadoni is an Italian football manager and former midfielder.
36 Facts About Roberto Donadoni
2.
Roberto Donadoni began his career with Atalanta, and he later 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.
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At international level, Roberto Donadoni was an important member of the Italy national team throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.
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Roberto Donadoni represented his country at the 1988 and 1996 European Championships, and at the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups.
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Roberto Donadoni was later appointed head coach of the Italy national team, succeeding Marcello Lippi, who resigned after having won the 2006 World Cup.
6.
On 26 June 2008, Roberto 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.
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Roberto Donadoni was replaced by Lippi, who returned as national team manager.
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Roberto Donadoni started his career with Atalanta in 1982, winning the Serie C1 title, and the Serie B title in 1984.
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Roberto Donadoni 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.
10.
Usually playing a right-sided wide midfield role, Roberto 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.
11.
Roberto Donadoni required treatment on the pitch to stop him choking and was rushed to hospital, where he regained consciousness soon after.
12.
Roberto 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.
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Roberto Donadoni won another Serie A title under Alberto Zaccheroni in 1999, his sixth and final career Serie A title.
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In total, Roberto Donadoni scored 18 career Serie A goals for Milan in 287 appearances, and 23 in 390 appearances throughout all competitions.
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Roberto Donadoni 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.
16.
Roberto Donadoni took part at the 1994 World Cup, under Arrigo Sacchi, helping Italy to a second-place finish, where Italy would be defeated on penalties, by Brazil.
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However, on this occasion Roberto Donadoni did not take a penalty in the final shoot-out.
18.
Roberto Donadoni represented Italy at Euro 1996, which would be his final international tournament prior to his international retirement, appearing in all three group matches.
19.
Roberto Donadoni was an important member of his club and national sides throughout his career, standing out for his pace, agility, and technical ability; he often beat players with feints both in one on one situations, or when undertaking individual runs.
20.
Roberto Donadoni was known for his stamina, which enabled him to function as a box-to-box player.
21.
Roberto Donadoni delivered assists to teammates in the area from curling crosses and set-pieces.
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Roberto Donadoni was a powerful striker of the ball from distance with either foot, despite being naturally right-footed, and an effective free kick taker.
23.
In July 2006, following the resignation of Marcello Lippi three days after the Italy national team won the 2006 World Cup, Roberto Donadoni was named as new Italian head coach, his first task being to successfully lead Italy through qualification for UEFA Euro 2008.
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Roberto Donadoni took solace in the fact Lippi's first match in charge of the Azzurri was a friendly defeat, to Iceland.
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However, despite all the critics, Roberto Donadoni led Italy to five wins in a row to Georgia, Ukraine and Scotland, the former being controversial for his omission of star Alessandro Del Piero from the squad.
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One of the main criticisms addressed by the media towards Roberto Donadoni was his alleged lack of pressure in persuading Francesco Totti to play again for the Azzurri.
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Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro was unable to play due to injury, and Roberto Donadoni was widely criticised for his choice of players for the match.
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Roberto Donadoni was replaced by former Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri.
29.
On 16 November 2010, it was announced Roberto Donadoni would become head coach of Serie A relegation battlers Cagliari, replacing Pierpaolo Bisoli.
30.
Roberto Donadoni was in talks with Iran Pro League side Persepolis in December 2011.
31.
On 9 January 2012, Roberto Donadoni was unveiled as head coach of Serie A club Parma, replacing Franco Colomba.
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Parma's results improved immediately under Roberto Donadoni, winning seven Serie A matches in a row, a club record.
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In 2014, Roberto Donadoni guided Parma to sixth place in Serie A, helping the club to qualify for the UEFA Europa League for the first time since 2007.
34.
Roberto 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.
35.
In October 2015, Roberto Donadoni was hired by newly promoted Serie A club Bologna as the club's new coach, replacing Delio Rossi.
36.
On 30 July 2019, Roberto Donadoni was appointed as manager of Chinese club Shenzhen.