Donadoni Wants Foreign Player Limit
(Soccer365.com) - Italy coach Roberto Donadoni believes too many foreigners play in Serie A.
Donadoni, who replaced Marcello Lippi after last year's successful World Cup campaign, made it clear that he felt the game would benefit from limits.
"Honestly, there are too many (foreigners)," said Donadoni. "In my day, there were three (per team). I think there should now be no more than five."
Donadoni made it clear that there is no clash with Roma playmaker Francesco Totti who has not played with the Azzurri since the World Cup.
"There is no trouble, the situation is clear to everyone," said Donadoni. "He will do what he has to and get over his physical problems. Then I will evaluate his conditions."
Totti has mooted a possible return to the national team in September.
Donadoni also said he believed Antonio Cassano could still play for Italy despite the 24-year-old's career appearing to be in a downward spiral and with the player on the fringes at Real Madrid.
"We can get him back but a lot depends on him," said Donadoni to the LA7 Sport channel.
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Comments
Putting it mildly Donadoni is an idiot. Best players play, limiting the competition is a sign of failure. Man up and outplay your competition not bat their entrance.
Posted by: Tesoro | May 1, 2007 09:07 PM
If the league officials & club owners don't get things under control there & the fan violence is not brought under control his wish just might come true. Player's from other countries might think twice about going there to play.
Posted by: Spivey Point | May 2, 2007 02:49 AM
I have mixed feelings about this one, in Italy as any other european country there's lots of foreign players, if the foreign player is deserving... by all means let them be, but if you play a foreigner just because he's a foreign player and not a big deal of a player to shut down a promising young player ???. But I agree Spivey they need to fix the problem in Italy with the fans ,it's starting to hurt the serie A, a lot and it will get worst if not fixed.
Posted by: wolfen | May 2, 2007 01:18 PM
Wolfen in order for a known club regardless of what country they are based in they have to be able to compete. In order to do that more times often than not they have to look beyond their own national & local playing pool to sign the right players' to have the advantage. Donadoni was a great player & now he has to be more realistic as imported players' are not just found in Italy but in every major league in Europe as well. It's a sign of the times & it's not going away. As for me I have teams I follow & like just like there are teams I don't follow or care for but when I go to a match I'm not hung up on what the nationality is of the players' from either team. I just want to see a good game played by great players' that put on a good display for the fans'. Donadoni should be cautious what he wishe's for. If serie A went to an Italian players' only format the top clubs in Italy would never do as well as they do. Think about it. What I'm saying makes a lot of sense.
Posted by: Spivey Point | May 3, 2007 02:14 PM
Yeah man Donadoni is not living in the real world. What he wishe's for will never ever happen as all the top clubs in Europe have imported players. seria A has enough problems as it is & they are on the road to mend. What Donadoni want's is foolish as it would only strip seire A of more quality players'. Donadoni just threw his hand on the table & the cards' read he's a bit of an old world racist. Kind of like some of the people that post here. He must be related to them.
Posted by: Dave | May 3, 2007 04:33 PM
Donadoni should not be so concerned about how many imported players' are playing in Italy as it's part of the modern game now & it won't change. Chances are there will be even more imported players' going to Italy to play & that will only make the league better. What he should really be concerned about is the poor shape the league there is in at the moment with scandals & fan violence as that's what is really hurting it. It's as bad as English soccer was over twenty years ago if not worse. Decent fans' in Italy can't even go & enjoy themselves at a bloody football match without having to worry if their lives will be in danger because of out of control animals. They have a lot of hard work to do to bring that league back up to a healthy state.
Posted by: U. Albert | May 3, 2007 06:10 PM
Donadoni was never my first,second,third or any choice to be Marcello Lippi's successor. The guy is just not cultured or knowledgeable enough to deal with the players egos and I can't see him being a tactical genius. It shows through his gestures during games, his maneurisms and through the idiotic things he says in public. This should not be the coach of the fabled Azzurri. He should have a car lot or something and make money with his name from his playing days. The sooner he goes the better. In the meantime Dona please shut your mouth and know your place. You are the coach of the Italian team you are not a spokesperson for Italian soccer.
Posted by: giova * * * * | May 5, 2007 10:17 AM
I have to agree with you on this one. Donadoni was a great player, he's not a great manager/coach though. The only national team manager far worse than him right now is the idiot in charge of England. England cut loose one lame duck & replaced him with another. No wonder they can't win.
Posted by: Henry | May 5, 2007 02:50 PM
You guys have no understanding of what it means to support your boys. The reason sports has always given meaning and excitement to fans is not just the skills they are watching. But more importantly it is a feeling of connection with the team and players. Why do most people support their local teams? Because it represents your area and your community. Now if the team is made up of no local players there is a disconnection. If I know that at least some of the players are local youth it will make the sport that much more interesting to me and I would guess many other fans.
Posted by: pietro | January 16, 2008 12:34 PM