Ghedin leaves Italy women for Malta
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
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Italy women's coach Pietro Ghedin has resigned to take charge of the Malta men's national team for the second time after agreeing terms on a three-and-a-half year contract.
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Pietro Ghedin has agreed to leave his post as coach of the Italian women's national team in order to embark on a second spell in charge of Malta.
The news was announced on Tuesday by Malta Football Association (MFA) president Norman Darmanin Demajo after an agreement was reached with the Federazione Italiana Guioco Calcio (FIGC) for the release of Ghedin from his contract. Since succeeding Carolina Morace with Italy in 2005 he has led them to the UEFA Women's EURO 2009 quarter-finals and his team have a perfect record in 2013 qualifying.
The 59-year-old's previous stint at the Malta helm, between 1993 and 1995, produced four victories and five draws during his 24-match tenure. Ghedin brings with him a wealth of experience. In 1998, he participated in the FIFA World Cup as assistant to head coach Cesare Maldini and at UEFA EURO 2000 he helped Dino Zoff's Azzurri reach the final in the same capacity, a role he then filled under Giovanni Trapattoni at the 2002 World Cup and UEFA EURO 2004.
The former S.S. Lazio defender succeeds John Buttigieg, who was dismissed last October, and will now begin preparations for friendly encounters against Luxembourg on 2 June and San Marino two weeks later after agreeing a three-and-a-half year deal.
