Donati wants the chance to make his own mistakes as boss

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Massimo Donati wants to stay in Scotland and become a manager in his own right.

The Italian quit Kilmarnock last month after a year as a No. 2, firstly to Angelo Alessio then Alex Dyer.

He did so to help the club through the current financial crisis, and to further his own coaching ambitions.

“It was very easy to reach an agreement,” said the former Celtic and Hamilton Accies midfielder.

“When the shutdown started, it was obvious the club – just like all others – was going to have financial problems.

“I knew that taking my salary off the wage bill would help and, as such, would be a nice gesture to make.

“And it was great for me too, because although the shutdown meant I couldn’t get to the training ground, everyone – players, coaches and staff – called me to say goodbye.

“Coming at a difficult time such as this, it meant all the more because it made me realise I had been appreciated in my time at Kilmarnock.

“I want to thank them all for that.”

In the continuing uncertainty, the Italian is 100% clear about what he plans to do next.

“Even before this crisis, I had already decided that I wanted to try going out on own,” revealed the man who can count AC Milan among of former clubs back in his homeland .

“After a year as a No. 2, first with Alessio and then with Dyer, I now have the desire to be a coach in my own right.

“I want to feel the weight of my decisions, and to be able to do things for myself.

“When you are an assistant, you can obviously express your ideas. But, in the end, you don’t make the decisions.”

Which can be frustrating, especially when the consequences of making the wrong call can cost you your job.

Donati’s fellow Italian, Angelo Alessio, lasted just six months in the post before being sacked last December.

“Alessio’s dismissal surprised me,” said Donati.

“He paid the price for a run of four games without a win. But overall the results were not that bad.

“About eight games before that, he had won a Manager- of- theMonth award.

“Regardless of how it turned out, I remain convinced he is a good coach.”

Of more immediate concern to the 39-year-old is proving he has what it takes to make an impact as a manager.

“I can’t wait to start, and just hope I will soon find a club to put their trust in me,” he said.

“My wish would be to stay in Scotland. My children go to school here and my life is here.

“At the same time, I am a man who is accustomed to travelling all over the world.

“A job in Italy would, of course, be of interest. But I think I would accept an interesting proposal from whatever country came.

“We will have to wait and see what the future brings.”

Whatever happens in his own situation, Donati predicts that football is going to have to brace itself for some tough times ahead.

“Coronavirus has sent almost all sectors into crisis, not just ours,” he said. “I think the small clubs are going to have real problems, especially in the Championship, where there is not a lot of money.

“When you see that a club the size of Hibs have been forced to fire several employees, you can see that the situation is very serious.

“Of course,there is still attention on Celtic’s bid to make it 10-in-arow. Already it feels like we are talking of nothing else.

“I believe they can do it. But if they are to succeed they will have to see off a strong challenge from Rangers, who will battle to the end.”