FIFA Women’s World Cup: Coach Bertolini resigns following Italy’s early exit
The HinduMilena Bertolini is to step down as Italy’s women’s football coach after being criticised by her players as the Italians failed to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stages. Her players had taken to social media following the shock 3-2 defeat by South Africa in their final group match, which put them on an early plane home, posting an open letter. While it did not name Bertolini, it was plain at whom their criticism was aimed as they claimed though they had “not been scared, we felt a lack of confidence” and had “difficult first at Euro 2022 and now this World Cup.” Read: England advances over Nigeria on penalty kicks despite James’ red card Bertolini, who guided Italy to the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals, posted a defiant message on Instagram late on Sunday as she bade farewell. “The search for a scapegoat is too easy and obvious,” said Bertolini, a playing legend for her country who was capped 150 times.