Roberto Donadoni said he had no regrets after his career as Italy coach ended Thursday in the wake of Italy's disappointing Euro 2008. ''I'd do it all again, in an instant. It was a stupendous experience,'' the 44-year-old said after the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) announced his contract had ''expired at its natural term'' and World Cup winner Marcello Lippi would get his old job back. Before Euro 2008 Donadoni signed a contract renewal allowing either side to terminate if Italy did not reach the semi-finals. Italy was knocked out in a penalty shoot-out by Spain in the quarter-finals. An earlier version of the deal would have given Donadoni a substantial pay-out if the two-year extension did not run its course. Asked why he had signed the later version, Donadoni said: ''I don't want to make myself out to be the good guy always, and everyone can use money, but I showed I believed in other values''.
''I'm sorry that a penalty kick brought this situation about,'' Donadoni went on.
''Over the last two years my Italy achieved some positive things and one last match can't wipe that out''.
Donadoni was speaking after a two-hour meeting with FIGC President Giancarlo Abete which he said had been ''amicable''.
He said he had not asked Abete if he had already met with Marcello Lippi, the World Cup winning coach who is getting his old job back.
''People have been talking about Lippi for two years...It's not up to me to tell people how to behave''.
Italian players and Donadoni's fellow coaches kept their peace about his fate Thursday.
But UEFA President Michel Platini spoke up for the ex-coach, saying he had ''provided a great image of sportsmanship'' during the tournament.
Donadoni took up the Azzurri reins after Lippi stepped down in the wake of the Germany 2006 triumph.
He came under intense pressure when Italy made a rocky start to its Euro 2008 qualification campaign, drawing 1-1 at home with Lithuania and losing 3-1 in Paris.
The press eased up after Italy reeled off five straight wins to come out top of their group ahead of France and Scotland, but Donadoni detractors pounced after Italy's 3-0 opening Euro 2008 defeat to Netherlands.
Ironically for a coach whose main alleged fault was switching players too often and not sticking to a game plan, he was virtually forced to revolutionise the side and formation for the 1-1 draw with Romania and the 2-0 win over France that booked the quarter-final date with Spain.
After that game, he was slammed for keeping faith with the players who had got Italy into the tournament.
Donadoni, a former wing great for AC Milan and Italy, took charge of 23 Italy matches, winning 13, drawing five and losing five.
He used 59 players at least once and his top scorers were two of the most heavily criticised Euro 2008 performers, Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale.
A weak penalty shot by Di Natale, saved by Spain keeper Iker Casillas, was the last kick of the Donadoni era.
Lippi's return was announced shortly after Donadoni finished speaking to the press.
The news has sparked speculation he may be more successful than Donadoni in luring Roma icon Francesco Totti out of international retirement.
