Former Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati has opened up on his departure from the club, insisting that he should never have left in 2009.
After joining under Gordon Strachan from AC Milan, Donati had a decent start to life under the Hoops boss. However, a falling out between the two led to his future with the club being up in the air.
Despite almost getting his career in Glasgow back on track under new manager Tony Mowbray, the midfielder departed and headed back to Italy, joining Bari. Speaking in a recent interview, Donati opened up on his exit, stating that it was a mistake to leave Celtic.
“I had a wee problem with Gordon, and then it became a big problem,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“I gave an interview explaining the difference between Scottish and Italian football. I explained the difference, which was a big one. In the papers, the headline was ‘what Scottish football has to do to be better’.
“I never said those words, and he was so angry about that interview, and I told him I didn’t say that, but he didn’t believe me, and that is why I did not play much in the second season.
“For a football player, if you are not playing, you are not happy. I told him that maybe it was time for me to go.
“In the pre-season, Gordon Strachan left Celtic, and Tony Mowbray came in. For a while, it looked as if my Celtic career would get back on track.
“Then Bari came in for me and offered me a longer contract. I had a decision to make, and I joined Bari.
“Sometimes, you make the wrong decision. Leaving Celtic was not a good decision.”
It is always interesting to hear these sorts of stories from players a good few years after leaving the club.
Donati is certainly someone who has consistently spoken out well about Celtic since his departure over 13 years ago and his love for the club.
Who knows what could have happened had he stayed under the new management of Tony Mowbray. However, I’m not sure how big his impact might have been with the way that season went.
