Roberto Donadoni has signed a two-year extension to his contract as coach of Italy.
The 44-year-old, who recently arrived in Austria ahead of the start of Euro 2008, put pen to paper on Tuesday on a deal that will now run until after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Donadoni turned down an extension in April despite insisting that he wanted to continue as coach of the Azzurri, claiming that he did not want to concentrate on contract issues whilst preparing for this summer's European championships.
A statement on the Italian Football Federation website read: ‘Roberto Donadoni has today signed a contract for a further two years, as had been announced in the past few days by (Italian FA) president Giancarlo Abete.’
Abete told reporters in Austria: ‘Now there is nothing more to be done and we can concentrate on the games.’
He went on to describe Donadoni as ‘a young coach but already a great through his maturity, competence and preparation’.
The new deal includes a clause which allows the extension to be terminated by either party should results at Euro 2008 be deemed unsatisfactory.
Donadoni took charge of the Italian national side in 2006, following their success at the World Cup with former coach Marcelo Lippi.
The former AC Milan star will be hoping to add a European Championship to that World Cup title when his side begin Euro 2008 against Holland on 9 June.
They then go on to face France on 13 June and Romania on 17 June in Group C.
