Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 10y

Donadoni: I intend to honour Parma deal

Parma coach Roberto Donadoni said he would honour his Parma contract after his side secured a berth in the Europa League on the final day of the season.

#INSERT type:image caption:Donadoni has guided Parma into the Europe League. END#

A 2-0 win over Livorno saw the Ducali move above Torino to snatch sixth place in Serie A and seal a return to Europe after an eight-year gap -- and Donadoni's achievement is reported to have attracted the attention of his former club AC Milan, with their coach Clarence Seedorf's future uncertain.

But Donadoni, who joined Parma in 2011, told Sky Sport Italia: "All I'm thinking of now is that I am coach of Parma.

"I've got a contract, and I am grateful for what Parma have given to me. I'm not going to fall into the usual trap of having to comment on what other people say.

"I've got a magnificent relationship with the president and with [general manager Pietro] Leonardi. We've always decided things together, and we're enjoying excellent results.

"I'm just concentrating on Parma now, because it would be suicidal to say anything else on a night like this. I've got a contract here and I intend to honour it."

Donadoni said his players "deserve everything they've got" and thanked them for their work, adding: "This is a fantastic achievement in the year of the club's centenary."

Alessio Cerci's 94th-minute penalty miss meant Torino were held to a 2-2 draw by Fiorentina and finished a point behind Parma.

Cerci was inconsolable at the final whistle, but coach Giampiero Ventura backed him, saying: "Only those who don't have the guts to try fail.

"Cerci should be proud of his extraordinary season. He's scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists from a wide berth. Penalties can be missed."

Ventura added: "If only we had won one of our last two games, it would have been an extraordinary season.

"It's true that we've missed a chance to play in Europe both last Sunday and tonight, but it was still a great year. It's just part of the Granata fan's DNA to work hard and suffer, but we can still look back on a magnificent season.

"Three years ago we were tenth in Serie B -- now we're disappointed to be missing out on Europe. Losing is part of the game, but I remain proud of my players and I think the fans feel the same way too."

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