BULLISH ON THE U.S. Ex-Metros standout Donadoni won't rule out MLS coaching post, gives thumb's up to new owners
Roberto Donadoni, who returned to Giants Stadium for the Red Bulls' "Tribute to New York Soccer," said he would like to coach in the U.S. someday. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
East Rutherford, N.J. -- It's only two games into the New York Red Bulls undefeated, yet winless season and already there is some speculation that former MetroStars and Italian National Team standout Roberto Donadoni could wind up as coach of the MLS team.
The Boston Globe speculated earlier this week that Donadoni was looking for a new coaching job and would interested in the Red Bull position if it came available.
"Should the Bulls falter, Donadoni could emerge as a candidate for the coaching position," Globe soccer writer Frank Dell'Apa wrote in the newspaper's April 4 editions.
Prior to the Red Bulls' scoreless tie with the New England Revolution in their home opener on Saturday night, Donadoni was asked about whether he would be interested in the job if it became available. Former Scottish international striker Mo Johnston is the coach of the 0-0-2 side, although there is speculation swirling around the team that its new owners would make sweeping changes if the team isn't successful.
When asked about whether he would be interested in coaching the Red Bulls someday, Donadoni was evasive.
"I don't know, I don't know," he said while shaking his head and smiling before the Red Bulls' Tribute to New York Soccer. "For me, New York's a very good memory. I don't know. Maybe the life was something different. I don't know. Now I'm a coach in Italy. I like to stay in Italy. But if I have chance for me, it is good."
Asked if he wanted coach in MLS, Donadoni replied, "Yes."
Donadoni most recently directed Livorno to sixth place in Italy's tough Serie A, but stepped down on Feb. 2 after he was severely criticized by club president, Aldo Spinelli. Spinelli reportedly said Donadoni had made "a complete mess" of the team tactics during their 2-2 draw with Messina the previous Sunday. The comments were a surprise considering Livorno's lofty standing.
"Now I am stopping in the last month because I had some problem with the boss of the team," Donadoni said on Saturday. "It�s a small team. First division. It was a good team. The striker is the best striker in Italy. (Cristiano) Lucarelli played two times for the National team. He is a good striker. It's a very young team. It�s nice to say that."
According to the Globe: "Donadoni appeared to be developing into one of Italy's better coaches, but was fired by Livorno despite guiding the team to the verge of a UEFA Cup berth. Donadoni's dismissal caused an outcry in Italy, not only because he was regarded among the classiest of players as a member of the national team and A.C. Milan, but also because he was proving that a small, provincial club could compete with the traditional powers."
The 42-year-old Donadoni certainly was bullish on the new owners of the team formerly called the MetroStars.
"Now it is one of the best organizations in the league," he said. "Red Bull wants to push this league. I think it is a very good thing."
Donadoni spent the 1996 and 1997 seasons with the Metros as the team's marquee player. Although he had forged a reputation as an all-star working man's midfielder, the former Italian international was forced to play an attacking role he was not entirely accustomed to. For A.C. Milan's fabulous teams in the late 80s and 90s, Donadoni was the blue collar worker who did most of the dirty work for the likes of Dutch internationals Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard.
"I spent one year in Manhattan in New York," he said. "For me, that time was one of the best times in my career.
"Normally I come back every year to New York. I have lot of friends here. I like to come back. I stay one or two weeks. For me, it is one of the best places for me to stay."
In almost a decade since he left the Metros, Donadoni has been impressed with the improvement of the quality of American players.
"I think the quality now is much better than before," he said. "It is much better because the players come better from the base. The young player is much better. This is very important. If you have a good player from the young player, if you have a good teacher, this is a very important thing."
