Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has said Fabio Capello's appointment as England manager is a sign of the strength of Italian soccer.

"Our domestic championship may not be the most beautiful, but it is certainly still competitive and selective," he said.

"We know how to form a team like few others and we cultivate skills that others often neglect.

"The fact England have recruited Capello as the nation's saviour is the most sensational demonstration of this. They laugh behind our backs and bombard us with criticism only to turn to one of us to rebuild their system."

Conte new Bari coach

Serie B strugglers Bari have called in Antonio Conte after the departure of coach Giuseppe Materazzi who opted to resign after a 4-0 thrashing by Lecce.

President Vincenzo Matarrese said: "We gave Materazzi our trust after a stinging derby defeat and now he has left. But we want to thank him... he is a gentleman and thought hard before resigning."

The choice of Conte as a replacement comes as something of a shock as he hails from Lecce - a city with which Bari enjoys a fierce rivalry.

Naumoski on way to Reading

Ilco Naumoski is claiming that he is set to join Reading. The 24-year-old Macedonia striker has attracted interest from a number of clubs but Reading look to have won the battle for the Mattersburg player's signature.

Naumoski said: "It is 99 per cent certain that my next club will be Reading."

On Friday, Malta international Udo Nwoko was also reported in the UK press to be heading to Reading after passing a medical test at The Madejski Stadium.

Magpies pull out of Korea deal

Newcastle have pulled out of a move to sign South Korean striker Cho Jae-jin. The Magpies held talks with the 26-year-old, who is out of contract with Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse.

A club spokesman said: "The club has had discussions with the player and his representatives, but has decided not to proceed any further."

Cho Jae-jin has scored eight goals in 29 international appearances for South Korea and has also been linked with moves to Fulham and West Ham.

Ujfalusi rejects Liverpool

Tomas Ujfalusi has rejected the chance to move to Liverpool in January. The Czech defender, currently with Fiorentina, is out of contract in the summer.

Along with Liverpool, Tottenham, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Zenit St Petersburg are all said to be keen to sign him on a free transfer.

Fiorentina want him to stay and have offered him a new three-year deal but Ujfalusi has informed all parties he will make a decision on his future when he is ready, which is unlikely to be in January.

Dalla Bona leaving Napoli?

Napoli midfielder Samuele Dalla Bona could be on his way to Rangers after his agent revealed the SPL giants' interest.

It seems that the 26-year-old will be on the move once more having fallen down the pecking order at the Stadio San Paolo and he could return to Britain.

"The only contact we have had for Dalla Bona is from Scotland," agent Claudio Pasqualin said.

"Rangers have made their interest clear and it is clear that Napoli have chosen other players ahead of him, so he won't feature in their plans."

Buffon becomes a father

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has become a father after his wife Alena gave birth in the early hours of yesterday. The Italy no.1 immediately broke the news with a statement on his official website.

Louis Thomas Buffon weighs around eight pounds and is in perfect health in a private clinic in Turin.

Buffon is the seventh member of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad to become a father since securing football's greatest honour in Berlin.

Dhorasoo hangs up his boots

Former Milan and Livorno midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo has decided to retire from football at the age of 34.

The temperamental midfielder terminated his contract with Livorno by mutual consent earlier this season without making an appearance for the Tuscans.

The French international had been struggling for fitness and he reacted angrily to coach Giancarlo Camolese's request that he trains with the youth side.