Milena Bertolini


Milena Bertolini is an Italian former footballer and current manager of the Italy women's national team. As the national team coach, she led Italy to qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup following a twenty year absence.

Playing career

Bertolini began her youth career with U.S. Correggese, before moving to Reggiana in 1984. The team won the Serie B title in the 1985–86 season, therefore earning promotion to Serie A. After spells at Modena Euromobil and Prato, she returned to Reggiana in 1990, helping the team to win the Serie A title. She later went on to play for Woman Sassari, A.S.D. Bologna, Aircargo Agliana and Fiammamonza. In 1996, she joined Modena Femminile, winning the league title in both her seasons at the club, along with the Supercoppa Italiana in 1997. In 1998, she joined Pisa S.C.F., before moving to Foroni Verona where she played until her retirement in 2001.
In 2018, she was the woman footballer inductee to the Italian Football Hall of Fame.

Managerial career

Following her retirement in 2001, she became an assistant coach at Foroni Verona, the club she last played at, with the team winning the 2001–02 Coppa Italia. The following season, she was promoted as the team's head coach, leading them to Supercoppa Italiana and Serie A titles. In 2004, she returned to her former club Reggiana, winning the 2009–10 Coppa Italia during her tenure. In 2012, she joined Brescia, where she won two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles and three Supercoppa Italiana titles. During her managerial career in Serie A, she won the Panchina d'Oro award as the best manager of the season on six occasions.
At the end of the 2010–11 season, Bertolini obtained a UEFA Pro Licence, allowing her to coach a high level men's team.
In August 2017, she was appointed as the head coach of the Italy women's national team. In 2019 Women's World Cup qualification, she helped the team to win their qualifying group with only one loss, thus qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. The tournament is Italy's third appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup, and their first qualification after a twenty year absence.

Honours

Player

Reggiana
Modena
Individual
Foroni Verona
Reggiana
Brescia
Individual