Donadoni signs two-year deal

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni signed a new two-year contract yesterday to end a drawn-out saga which had threatened to cloud the team's Euro 2008 campaign.

He agreed the contract with the Italian soccer federation on May 20 but has taken his time putting pen to paper, with the world champions facing Netherlands in their Group C opener in Berne on Monday.

The deal runs until the 2010 World Cup but includes an escape clause for both parties should Euro 2008 go badly.

"Roberto Donadoni has today signed a contract for two more years," said a federation statement.

In March a decision over Donadoni's contract, which was due to run out in July, was postponed until after the tournament in Austria and Switzerland. However, talks were brought forward following constant media speculation.

Donadoni, who took over from Marcello Lippi, said last month an escape clause was unnecessary as he would walk away anyway if the team played poorly.