Italy national team coach Roberto Donadoni has credited MLS for giving him the idea of becoming a manager.

Speaking to American Soccer Daily in London ahead of Euro 2008, where he will coach the world champion Azzurri, the AC Milan and Italy legend recalled fondly his experience playing for the NY/NJ Metrostars from 1996 to '97, where he made 52 appearances and scored six times.

"It was a great experience playing in America," said Donadoni. "From a technical point of view it was not comparable to playing in Italy, but it was this experience which set me on the road to soccer coaching."

"It helped me shape my future as a coach because I had the opportunity to start teaching my friends, my teammates, some of the things I had learnt in Italy."

Concluded Donadoni, "I had a great relationship with everybody there and my time in New York certainly gave me a lot of satisfaction."

Donadoni was the marquee player for the inaugural Metrostars franchise in 1996, playing under coaches Eddie Firmani, Carlos Queiroz and Carlos Alberto Perreira.

He was an MLS All-Star in both his seasons in America, made the league's Best XI and was named his club's MVP in 1996, as well as being the league's most fouled player the following year, suffering 94 illegal tackles.

Having joined MLS after 10 success-filled years with Milan, Donadoni was recalled by his country for Euro 1996 in England, before rejoining the Rossoneri again aged 34 in 1997.