Italy coach Donadoni expected to go this week

Roberto Donadoni's time in charge of Italy is expected to end this week following the world champions' Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat by Spain, Italian media reported yesterday.

Italy's top sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport said he would be sacked today, 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 yesterday denied a BBC report that Donadoni had already been dismissed.

"There is nothing official," an FIGC spokesman said.

On Monday, former Milan and Italy midfielder Donadoni said he had no intention of quitting after his team lost to Spain on penalties on Sunday.

"Absolutely no," Donadoni told a news conference when asked if he had considered resigning.

"I don't have a reason. We only lost a game on penalties. You can't say things work when you win but don't work when you lose on penalties.

"We will talk and decide. It doesn't make any sense to talk about whether I deserve to carry on."

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.