ROME, June 24 (Reuters) - Roberto Donadoni's time in charge of Italy is expected to end within a week following the world champions' Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat by Spain, Italian media reported on Tuesday.
La Gazzetta dello Sport said Donadoni would be sacked on
Wednesday, while the ANSA news agency said Italian Soccer
Federation (FIGC) bosses would probably meet the coach next
Monday or Tuesday to discuss terminating the contract.
Donadoni is set to be replaced by his predecessor, 2006
World Cup-winning boss Marcello Lippi, according to local media.
However, the FIGC denied a report that Donadoni had
already been dismissed. 'There is nothing official,' an FIGC
spokesman said.
On Monday, former AC Milan and Italy midfielder Donadoni
said he had no intention of quitting after his team lost to
Spain on penalties on Sunday.
Donadoni signed a two-year contract extension just before
the tournament but FIGC would be able to terminate that now at a
reduced cost thanks to an escape clause valid for 10 days from
the end of Italy's campaign.
