Former Celtic star set to be appointed as Sampdoria’s head coach | OneFootball

Former Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati  is reportedly on the verge of being appointed Sampdoria’s new head coach…

Massimo Donati of Celtic celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk at Celtic Park November 28, 2007. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

After joining from AC Milan in the summer of 2007, Donati went on to spend two seasons with Celtic.

The Italian featured 53 times for Celtic, netting five goals – one of which was a dramatic last-minute winner against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Donati hung up his boots in 2018 and transitioned into coaching the following year, taking on a first-team coach role at Kilmarnock.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona breaks through the Celtic defence during the UEFA Champions League 2nd leg of the First knockout round match between FC Barcelona and Celtic at the Camp Nou stadium on March 4, 2007 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

His managerial career began in 2021 with Italian third-division side US Sambenedettese, though his tenure lasted just eight matches.

He later had a spell with fourth-tier club Legnago, and by the following summer, he was appointed head coach of Athens Kallithea in Greece’s second division, where he spent half a season.

According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Donati is set to take over as Sampdoria’s new manager, with a one-year contract in place that will automatically extend by another year if he guides the club to promotion to Serie A this season.

Massimo Donati and Neil Lennon of Celtic celebrate victory at the final whistle during the Premier League match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Stadium on May 22, 2008. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Sampdoria, former Serie A title winners, were relegated to the second division after ending the 2022/23 campaign at the foot of the table. After missing out on promotion last season, the responsibility now falls on Donati to revive their top-flight hopes.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp is tackled by Jules Kounde of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on September 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In other news, Celtic’s interest in Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha does not seem to be going away. With Nicolas Kuhn set to sign for Serie A side Como, Brendan Rodgers will be eyeing replacements.

Belgian reports indicated that the winger was close for a transfer to Celtic, with speculation intensifying after he was absent from Royal Antwerp’s training during their pre-season camp in Austria.

April 25, 2025, Famalicao, Guimaraes, Portugal: JUSTIN DE HAAS from FC Famalicao seen celebrating his goal during the Liga Portugal Betclic 2024/25 match between FC Famalicao and SC Braga at EstoÂdio Municipal de FamalicoÂo on April 25, 2025 in Famalicao, Portugal.Final score: FC Famalicao 1 – 1 SC Braga Famalicao Portugal – Photo Miguel Lemos

Celtic are also reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Dutch defender Justin de Haas. The Scottish champions are interested in the 25-year-old central defender from Portuguese Primeira Liga club Famalicão.

Conor Spence

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