Italian coach Manuela Tesse has been appointed to take charge of the Malta women’s national team, the Malta Football Association announced.
A former Italy national team player, Tesse’s name was approved during Thursday afternoon’s Malta FA Executive Board meeting.
The 46-year-old coach will become the first female to be appointed at the helm of the women’s team. Tesse’s era will start on January 1, 2023 and her contract will run until 2024.
Now, a decision will be taken about whether to maintain the current staff or effect any changes before Tesse starts her spell.
Tesse will take charge of the team during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifications.
The Italian coach takes over from Mark Gatt who spent seven years in charge of the Maltese side, guiding them to two record-breaking qualifying campaigns in the Women’s Euro 2022 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Malta, currently ranked 88th in the world, last played during the September international window when they met Azerbaijan and Montenegro in their final World Cup qualifications.
For Tesse, who is a UEFA Pro License holder, this will be her fourth experience at international level, having already been assistant coach of the Italian women’s senior team between 2011 and 2012.
She was also in charge of the U-17’s women’s selection of Trinidad and Tobago, in the CONCACAF, in 2017.
Previously, Tesse had already worked in this region having been part of the technical staff of the Canadian women’s team between 2010 and 2011.
Most recently, she was at the helm of Serie A Femminile side Pomigliano whom she guided to a historic top-flight promotion in the 2020/2021 season.
During her coaching career, she also coached Lazio, Arezzo and Sassari Torres with whom she won an Italian title, two Italian Super Cups and managed to steer them to two UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
As a player, Tesse had a distinguished career having played with Sassari Torres, Verona, Modena, Lazio, Ascoli, Foroni, Verona, Torino and Milan.
She won four Italian championships, five Italian cups and three Italian Super Cups.
Tesse represented her country in 87 games, finishing second in the 1997 Women’s European Championships while participating in the 2001 edition. She also donned Italy’s colours during the 1999 World Cup.
