Marco Donadel is an Italian footballer and manager born in 1983.
He was awarded the Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2004.
Donadel began his professional career at AC Milan, where he played from 2001 to 2005.
Biography
Early Life and Youth Career
Marco Donadel was born in 1983 and began his football journey as a youth player for AC Milan, where he honed his skills from 1998 to 2002. During his time in the youth ranks, he achieved notable success, winning the prestigious Torneo di Viareggio in both 1999 and 2001. Donadel made his professional debut for Milan on March 4, 2001, in a Serie A match against Parma, marking the start of his career in top-flight football.
Professional Career
After limited appearances with AC Milan, Donadel was loaned to US Lecce in 2002, where he gained valuable experience. He then moved to Parma in 2003, followed by a loan to U.C. Sampdoria in 2004. His career took a significant turn when he joined ACF Fiorentina in 2005, where he became a regular starter and contributed to the team's success. Donadel later played for SSC Napoli, Hellas Verona FC, and CF Montréal, showcasing his versatility as a midfielder throughout his career. He also represented Italy at various youth levels, culminating in his role as captain of the under-21 team, where he won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2004 and earned a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics the same year.
Coaching Career
Transitioning into coaching, Donadel served as an assistant coach at Spartak Moscow in 2021. He took on his first head coaching role with Serie C club Ancona in April 2023 but was dismissed later that year. Returning to CF Montréal, he was named interim head coach in March 2025 and later secured a permanent position for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. However, his tenure was cut short in April 2026 after a challenging start to the season.
Legacy and Honors
Donadel's contributions to football have been recognized with several honors, including the Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2004. His club achievements include winning the Coppa Italia with Napoli and being a runner-up in the CONCACAF Champions League with CF Montréal. His legacy as a player and coach continues to influence the teams he has been a part of.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Milan
Donadel is a youth product of Milan, playing for the youth side between 1998 and 2002, winning the Torneo di Viareggio in 1999 and 2001 before being promoted to the senior side. On 4 March 2001, he made his debut for Milan, coming on as a substitute for Andres Guglielminpietro in the 78th minute of a home Serie A game against Parma. The following season, he made his debut appearances in the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia. Having made just 4 appearances for the senior squad of Milan, Donadel was loaned out to Lecce in July 2002. In June 2003 Donadel was sold to Parma in a co-ownership deal for €2 million. (with 50% rights of Roberto Massaro was purchased by Milan for €2 million) The deal made Milan making a profit of €3.897 million. In June 2004 Milan bought back 50% rights of Donadel for €800,000 in a four-year contract (Milan booked the contract value of Donadel was €4 million instead of €1.6 million, thus receiving €1.2 million financial income instead of costing Milan to write down the value of retaining 50% registration rights for €1.2 million.) In 2004–05 season Donadel was loaned to Sampdoria for free and finally Fiorentina in January 2005, for €200,000.
Fiorentina
After a successful half-season-long loan with Fiorentina, he was signed permanently for €1.2 million in a four-year contract. The deal also made Milan book a €1.8 million loss. as the residual value of Donadel's contract, after amortization, was €3 million. In 2005–06, he was a regular…
Donadel was the captain of Italy under-21 team between 2004 and 2006 and won the 2004 European Under-21 Football Championship, totalling 31 appearances and 1 goal. Donadel also won a bronze medal with Italy at the 2004 Summer Olympics football tournament.
On 17 December 2021, Donadel was announced as the new assistant coach of Spartak Moscow, following the appointment of Paolo Vanoli as the club's new head coach. On 11 April 2023, Donadel took on his first head coaching job in charge of Serie C club Ancona. He was dismissed on 23 October 2023 due to negative results. Donadel returned to Montreal in December 2024, joining Laurent Courtois's staff at CF Montréal as an assistant coach. On March 24, 2025, Donadel was named interim head coach after Courtois was fired after Courtois led the team to its worst start (1 point over 5 matches) since its inaugural MLS season in 2012. On October 21, 2025, he was named as head coach on a permanent basis for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. On April 12, 2026, Donadel was fired after a 1-6-0 start to the 2026 season.
- Club
- Italy national under-21 football team (2004–2006)
- Club
- Italy national under-15 football team (1999–1999)
- Club
- Italy national under-16 football team (2000–2000)
- Club
- Italy national under-20 football team (2002–2003)
- League
- Major League Soccer
- National team
- Italy
- Club
- ACF Fiorentina (2005–2011)
- Club
- Parma Calcio 1913 (2003–2004)
- Club
- US Lecce (2002–2003)
- Club
- SSC Napoli (2011–2014)
- Club
- AC Milan (2001–2005)
- Club
- U.C. Sampdoria (2004–2005)
- Club
- Hellas Verona FC (2013–2014)
- Club
- CF Montréal (2015–)
- Club
- Italy national under-17 football team (2000–2001)
- Club
- Italy national under-19 football team (2001–2001)
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Legacy
Club
Napoli
Coppa Italia: 2011–12 Montreal Impact
CONCACAF Champions League: 2014–15 (Runner-up)
International
Italy U21
Olympic Bronze Medal: 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2004
Orders
5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2004
Clubs
- CF Montréal2015current
- Italy national under-15 football team1999–1999
- Italy national under-16 football team2000–2000
- Italy national under-17 football team2000–2001
- AC Milan2001–2005
- Italy national under-19 football team2001–2001
- Italy national under-20 football team2002–2003
- US Lecce2002–2003
- Parma Calcio 19132003–2004
- Italy national under-21 football team2004–2006
- U.C. Sampdoria2004–2005
- ACF Fiorentina2005–2011
- SSC Napoli2011–2014
- Hellas Verona FC2013–2014
Played together with
- Abdelaye DiakitéParma Calcio 1913 · 2013–2015
Abdelhamid SabiriU.C. Sampdoria · 2022–2022- Abdelhamid SabiriU.C. Sampdoria · 2022
Abdelkader GhezzalParma Calcio 1913 · 2013–2015
Abderrazzak JadidParma Calcio 1913 · 2010–2012- Abdon SgarbiAC Milan · 1927–1929
- Abdou Lahat DiakhateACF Fiorentina
Abel BalboACF Fiorentina · 1999–2000- Abel BalboACF Fiorentina
- Abel BalboParma Calcio 1913 · 1998–1999
Abraham FrançoisCF Montréal · 2000–2000- Abraham FrançoisCF Montréal · 2003–2005
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Marco Donadel is an Italian football coach and a former midfielder who was most recently the head coach of Major League Soccer club CF Montréal.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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