Italy Coach Roberto Donadoni has discussed Antonio Cassano, Euro 2008 and admits he is willing to wait for a contract extension.
The former Livorno tactician’s current deal is due to expire two weeks after the Final of the European Championships.
The Italian Football Federation have been keen to state their belief in Donadoni as the man for Italy’s future and had promised to give him the security of an extension before the summer’s trip to Austria and Switzerland.
However, despite several meetings between President Giancarlo Abete and Donadoni, it seems that the Azzurri boss may have to chase European domination with his future up in the air.
“It hasn’t affected my tranquillity,” Don insisted on Rai Tre. “Signing after the summer’s events isn’t a matter of superstition.”
Donadoni has managed to handle the intense scrutiny after succeeding World Cup winning boss Marcello Lippi, but admits that the Press can be a handful.
“It’s not true that there aren’t any journalists with technical knowledge, but there are possibly few,” he said ruefully.
“It doesn’t really get to me that I’m not protected from the media. I have my way of being – I don’t know whether it’s good or bad, it’s just me.
“What have been the most irritating questions recently? Over the last few months it has been all this talk about the last chance saloon.”
Over the last few months, Donadoni has been regularly called upon to discuss the future of fiery hitman Cassano.
The former Roma man has rejuvenated his career at Sampdoria and is showing his great potential, but is still blighted by his temper and is currently serving a five-game ban for throwing his shirt at the referee after a red card.
“We can’t do anything, as it’s all up to him,” Donadoni explained. “You have to want the best for him, but he’s not a little boy anymore.
“He has grown up and he has to learn that certain things need to stop. Every now and again he sees red and makes mistakes.
“I treat him like I do all the young lads, but I have a special type of dialogue with him.
“After the latest episode I gave him some time to cool down and then we spoke and he immediately told me he had been a cretin – he used that exact word.”
Don also gave an insight into the way he manages the Azzurri squad and the rules he imposes.
“The players address me formally,” he said. “The rules aren’t mine – they are just common sense and logic.
“I have no specific words of advice except I tell the players to enjoy themselves. But even that is open to different interpretations.”
Donadoni concluded by discussing the state of the Italian game in general during a tempestuous campaign.
“Football is different abroad,” he said. “The Italian game is beautiful in so many ways, but we can still learn a lot from others.
“It’s a question of culture and we have to think hard about what can change. Just because we brought in the ‘terzo tempo’ it is absurd to think that things will change immediately.”
