Former Inter and Italy coach Giovanni Trappatoni said the firing of Roberto Donadoni was done in haste following the Azzurri’s early exit from Euro 2008 last month and that the former Milan midfielder “deserved another chance.” The current Ireland manager said he believes that Donadoni’s dismissal was harsh.

“We need to be calm when judging the work of the young Azzurri coach,” Trapattoni told the Italian daily Il Giornale over the weekend. “Half of his team had a brilliant club season but were in poor [physical] condition.”

Trapattoni coached Italy from 2000 to 2004, but his time was also a disappointment as the Azzurri only reached the second round of the 2002 World Cup.