Roberto Donadoni should be in the thick of China's football season but his thoughts are consumed by the suffering that the coronavirus has brought to his hometown in northern Italy.
Nearly 14,000 people have died in Italy since the pandemic struck, more than any other country, and the region where the AC Milan legend is from has been hit hardest.
"I'm from Bergamo, one of the places in a very difficult situation now. My family are from there, it's very, very tough," the 56-year-old former Italy international, now coach of Shenzhen FC, told AFP by telephone from southern China.
"Every day I spoke with my mum, my brother, my sister. It's possible for me to see my family on Facetime or Skype or WeChat, but it's different," said Donadoni.
"When you are close to your family, it's one thing, but when you are 10,000 kilometres away, it's a different question."
"It's very important the (Italian) politicians try to help me and everyone else that wants to help."
- 'Very proud' -
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"After we beat it, it's possible to speak again about football and sport."