Roberto Donadoni says he considered resigning from his post as Italy coach.
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has admitted he considered resigning after the Azzurri's poor start to their 2008 European Championship qualifying campaign.The world champions started with an embarrassing draw against Lithuania before losing to rivals France, and Donadoni found himself under considerable pressure after replacing Marcelo Lippi following the World Cup final victory.
After Guido Rossi resigned as commissioner of the Italian Federation Donadoni admits he was concerned about his position, with a further resignation even on his mind.
However the former Milan hero was convinced to remain in his post after talking with high-ranking officials.
"I didn't need to see my position strengthened, but I need only to understand what the intentions were," said Donadoni.
"It's true there was a moment when I put my future in the hands of Olympic Committee president Gianni Petrucci, but he explained to me what his future plans were, and I stayed."
Donadoni's next task will be to mastermind victories over Ukraine and Georgia in the coming days, and Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero has been recalled to the squad along with a number of other World Cup luminaries.
The Bianconeri hit-man, currently plying his trade in Serie B after Juve's enforced relegation, has expressed his delight at returning to the international scene.
"I have to say I'm happy to come back to the national team and obviously to do this for the first time as a world champion," said Del Piero on his personal website.
"We are expecting two really important matches for the European qualification and I'm looking forward to entering the pitch."
