Newly-appointed Italy coach Roberto Donadoni pleaded for striker Francesco Totti to reconsider international retirement and continue to play for the national side. "Totti is the kind of player who is indispensable for everyone," the 42-year-old was quoted as saying by Calcio Italia magazine on Tuesday. The 29-year-old AS Roma forward has said the World Cup Final would most likely be his last game with the Azzurri, but Donadoni hopes to bring Totti back into the fold. "I will try to understand his reasons but he is still young and I hope he will decide to stay," he added. Donadoni signed a two-year contract with the Italian Football Federation on Wednesday and is delighted at the opportunity to succeed 2006 World Cup winner Marcello Lippi. "It's an honor to take over a winning team and I'll do my best to take the team forward to new successes. "The responsibility on me will be even greater with the World Cup behind us, but it's better to start with a trophy in the cabinet than nothing at all," the former Lecce, Genoa and Livorno boss said.
Donadoni The former AC Milan midfielder, who was capped 63 times by his country and helped the Azzurri to third and second place in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups respectively, said he will talk to his predecessor regarding the team's approach in the upcoming period. "I haven't had chance to speak to Lippi yet but I will do. That is one of the first tasks which I have set myself. "I already have a certain idea about how I want us to play," he said. "I want to provide continuity to the work of Lippi even if I obviously also want to add my own touch." Donadoni insisted the demotion of top clubs like Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina to Serie B following the match-fixing scandal will not affect his selection for the national team "There is no law that says a national team needs to be made up of players from just Serie A. "I won't exclude anyone," he insisted. "If there are good players in Serie B then they have a chance of playing." Donadoni's first match in charge of the Azzurri is a home friendly against Croatia on August 16th.
