Bertolini steps down as Italy coach after World Cup exit

Milena Bertolini said she has left her role as Italy head coach after their group stage exit from the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Italy began with a 1-0 win over Argentina but were thrashed 5-0 by Sweden before being eliminated in dramatic fashion on Wednesday, when South Africa scored a stoppage-time winner to win 3-2 and leave Bertolini’s team third in Group G.

Bertolini, 57, took charge in 2017 and oversaw Italy’s stunning run to the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals. Their early exit this year was another disappointment after the Euro 2022, where they finished bottom of their group with one point.

“I leave the national team after so many beautiful and very intense years, which I will always carry with me,” Bertolini said on Sunday in a lengthy statement posted on her Instagram.

“It is not always possible to achieve positive results, but I have no doubts about everyone’s commitment and good intentions.”

A day after Italy’s exit, a statement on Instagram signed by “players of the national team” said the team were “not put in the condition” to succeed. The statement was shared by veteran forwards Cristiana Girelli and Barbara Bonansea, among others.

“Too naive and obvious is the search for a scapegoat,” Bertolini said. “I do not feel any resentment and I have no reason to feel or look for a culprit.”

Bertolini had said earlier Italy’s dented confidence after the 5-0 defeat to Sweden likely played a major part in their loss to South Africa.

“We were never afraid. But we didn’t feel there was a lot of confidence in us either,” the players’ statement read.

“The national team is made up of a core of 16 Roma and Juventus players. We think it’s fair to ask how come a national team made up of this group of players … struggles a lot first at the Euros and now a World Cup.

“The feeling of regret is still strong because we came to this World Cup wanting redemption … We’re sure we could have got different results if only we’d been put in the condition to do so.”