Andrea Soncin named Italy women's coach after Milena Bertolini resignation

Andrea Soncin has been picked to be the new head coach of Italy's women's football team, the country's football federation said on Friday.

Soncin, who arrives from coaching the men's youth set-up at Venezia, replaces Milena Bertolini who stepped down after failing to guide the Azzurre to the knockout stages of the recent women's World Cup.

Italy had also disappointed at last year's European Championship, finishing bottom of their group in England with just a single point.

Her players took to social media following a shock 3-2 defeat by South Africa in their final World Cup group match which put them on an early plane home.

Without naming any names they criticised Bertolini in an open letter, claiming though they had "not been scared, we felt a lack of confidence" and had "difficult (meetings) first at Euro 2022 and now this World Cup."

Soncin, who has also managed Venezia as a caretaker in the men's Serie A, will take charge of Italy for the first time for the Nations League match with Switzerland on September 22.