Donadoni extends Italian deal ahead of Euro 2008 outing

GENEVA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Italy coach Roberto Donadoni extended his contract with the national team for two more years on Wednesday, five days before the Azzurri open their Euro 2008 campaign against the Netherlands in Berne, local media reported Thursday.

The new deal, having cleared the rumors that Carlo Ancelotti might take over from his former AC Milan teammate on the Italy bench, will keep Donadoni in reign till 2010 World Cup but includes a clause which allows the extension to be terminated by either party should results at Euro 2008 be deemed unsatisfactory.

However, the 44-year-old had announced last month that he had agreed an extension to his deal on May 20 with Italian FA (FIGC) boss Giancarlo Abete. Now, a statement on the Italian Football Federation's website confirmed he had put pen to paper.

"Roberto Donadoni today signed a contract for another two years, as (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete had announced in the last few days," said the website late on Wednesday.

"Now there is nothing more to be done and we can concentrate on the games," Abete told reporters in Austria and went on to describe Donadoni as "a young coach but already a great through his maturity, competence and preparation".

Donadoni, who replaced Marcello Lippi as coach in summer 2006, had turned down an extension in April, claiming that he did not want to concentrate on contract issues whilst preparing for this summer's European championships.

His preparations of Italy's squad are progressing swiftly now that Fabio Cannavaro has returned to the National's training camp following his ligament operation, while the team has trained behind closed doors.

The Azzurri, which are looking forward to adding a Euro 2008 title to their 2006 World Cup trophy in the championship co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, have been drawn into the well recognized Group of Death and will go on to face former world and European winners France on June 13 and Romania on 17 in Group C.