Last Sunday’s clash between AC Milan and Cagliari proved to be a poignant one for Diavolo manager Massimiliano Allegri. Just over a year ago, the 43 year old was surprisingly sacked by the Islanders in a move that ultimately paved the way for his move to Milan and a first title in nearly eight years for the Rossoneri.
But whilst many plaudits have fallen at the feet of Allegri they have arguably been matched by those directed to his opposite number Roberto Donadoni.
Back in November, a 1-0 loss to Genoa saw Cagliari drop to 17th with many forecasting relegation after the team picked up a meagre eleven points from their opening twelve fixtures. Out went manager Pierpaolo Bisoli and in came Donadoni with a simple mission: avoid relegation.
Yet from day one, it was clear that Donadoni was looking to implement some of the never say die spirit that saw him win three European and five Scudetti as a player with Milan.
“I prefer to think of the future and not the past,” he explained at a press conference. “You learn from mistakes just as you learn from victories. I have the right spirit and will to coach Cagliari.”
It was that spirit saw Donadoni emerge as a coach with huge promise at the start of the millennium.
An early spell with Serie C side Lecco was enough to convince Livorno owner Aldo Spinelli of his talents with the 47 year old promptly snapped up in 2002. A successful first season then saw Donadoni recruited by sleeping giants Genoa. And though his time with Il Grifone proved short lived, a quick return to Livorno in 2004 brought the ex-Milan man his first taste of the managerial success.
Returning to the club mid season, Donadoni guided an already struggling Amaranto side to an highly impressive ninth place finish in Serie A.
The 2005-2006 season was proving similarly successful with Livorno reaching as high as sixth before disputes with owner Spinelli proved too much with Donadoni leaving the club. What followed proved to be the making and breaking of Donadoni the manager as the former Azzurri favourite took the reins of the national side.
In truth, it was a poison chalice to begin with. The World Cup winning team of 2006 was an ageing one in dire need of revamping before Euro 2008. Yet in the wake of Marcelo Lippi’s surprise success in Germany, Donadoni faced an uphill battle, particularly with the media who criticised his every change.
An opening draw with Lithuania and a friendly defeat to France saw La Nazione produce the headline “How to reduce Lippi’s masterwork to pieces in just three weeks.”
Nevertheless, Donadoni’s team emerged ahead of France and Scotland to top a tough qualifying group.
The finals themselves proved an uneven affair. A heavy loss to Holland was following by a shaky draw with Romania before a 2-0 win over France secured a quarter final berth.
But in a forgettable encounter with eventual winner Spain, the Azzurri lost out in a penalty shoot out.
Despite the loss though, Donadoni remained bullish. “Resigning? It doesn’t even enter my mind,” he explained in a press conference.
“A missed penalty does not make me change my views on our performances in this tournament. I’m not stupid,” he added.
In a further act that defines Donadoni as both player and coach, the 47 year old went as far as to refuse the Italian Football Federations compensation package in the wake of his sacking.
“I’m not interested in the economic side of things. If I’m no longer the coach for him, I’ll go without asking for anything,” said Donadoni in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Yet for all his honour, Donadoni was to experience yet more difficulties in his next job with Napoli.
Appointed manager in March 2009, he was to last only eight months in the role after a loss to Roma saw fans and players alike rally against the manager’s tactics.
With Walter Mazzarri named as his replacement, the Sky Blues would go on to enjoy better days – but so would their former coach.
Sometimes a manager is simply not the right fit for a role. Whilst this may have been the case for Donadoni at Napoli, Cagliari has proven a very different story. In truth, Donadoni’s success this campaign has come in building a side that is not afraid to attack, rather than simply adopting the traditionally defensive tactics employed by many in the lower reaches of the Serie A table. It’s a policy which has seen them concede some 50 goals (the fifth worst record in the league) but on the flip side score a lot more as demonstrated in their 5-1 home win over Roma earlier in the year.
Donadoni has done well to maintain the teams momentum too, particularly after losing top scorer Alessandro Matri to Juventus in January. Fortunately, the 47 year old coach was able to call on the pairing of Robert Acquafresca and Brazilian Nene.
Acquafresca was a loan signing from Genoa and at 23 years old with nine goals to his name, the club will undoubtedly been keen to hold onto the former Inter Milan trainee. 
In midfield meanwhile, Donadoni is able to call on the experience of Daniele Conti. The midfielder is the clubs longest serving player and as captain continues to enjoy something of an Indian summer at the age of 32. Andrea Cossu meanwhile merits special mention with 12 assists and four goals for the Rossoblu.
Yet with much of the squad settled prior to the manager’s arrival, it’s Donadoni’s man management skills which have undoubtedly come into the spotlight.
A pre-season bust up with keeper Federico Marchetti saw the stopper frozen out of the team for demanding a transfer. Nine months later and under Donadoni’s stewardship, Marchetti is back in the side with talk of a move fast evaporating.
Donadoni though, remains modest in his abilities as a coach. “I believe Bisoli (the previous manager) built something positive,” he once explained in interview “(his sacking) does not take away all the good things he has done at the club.”
Next Sunday sees Cagliari face off against Parma at home in the final game of the season.
Donadoni’s team may well be safe, but with a win offering them the chance to move above their opponents in the table, the manager winning spirit may just be a little bit too strong to ignore.
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Not sure the defeat to Spain should be classed as ‘forgettable’. For Azzurri fans will remember that Camoranesi was a whisker away from knocking out Spain in normal time. And then losing out on penalties, where at best its a lottery and at worst as agonising as root canal treatment, if the spot kicks had gone agaisnt the Spanish, just imagine how the current world football road map would be looking right now.
The Don was a hairs breadth away from making a different type of history to the one we have now, i firmly believe he was that close.
And for the FIGC to then re-appoint Lippi and the debacle that was SAfrica 2010 shows how short sighted and guided by the gutter press they are.
Shame on you. Forza Donadoni.
Some very good points Il Mister, though I did feel Italy were at times a little more negative in their play than Spain at Euro 2008 – would they have come unstuck against Russia or Germany – perhaps.
But it’s funny how penalties have tarnished Donadoni’s Azzurri memories – the Italia 90 miss, World Cup 94 and then the Euros.
Couldn’t agree more about FIGC and their sacking of Donadoni – a big mistake and one I’m sure they have lived to regret. Three years later and it’s hard to say that Prandelli has changed much that Donadoni wouldn’t have already implemented had he been in charge.
Absolutely spot on Jack – a good article well written and well researched.
Complimenti!