The coach of the Italian football team Roberto Donadoni will be sacked the coming week and it will probably be Marcello Lippi, who guided the team to victory in the 2006 World Cup, who will replace him. This information was made public by the Italian press on Tuesday, June 24, 2008. 

The Ansa news agency reported that the destiny of the 44 year-old Roberto Donadoni will be finalized next week. It also mentioned that this development follows the expulsion of Italy from the ongoing 2008 Euro Cup after its recent defeat by Spain 4-2 on penalties after the match ended goalless. Giancarlo Abete, the Italian federation (FIGC) president will reportedly meet the current coach of Italy either on Monday June 30 or Tuesday July 1 in Rome.

Ironically, the contract of Donadoni was extended till 2010 just prior the recent June 7-29, 16-nation tournament co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland. Donadoni’s stint as the coach of the Italian football team started following the team’s 2006 World Cup win in Germany, with Lippi at the forefront. 

The record of Roberto Donadoni comprises 13 victories, five draws and five defeats, with 35 goals scored and 22 conceded. Roberto Donadoni however when queried after Italy’s defeat on Sunday responded, ‘Resign? The thought would never even enter my brain. I don't have a reason. We only lost a game on penalties.’ Italy's next match is a friendly one with Austria in France on August 20.