Pietro Ghedin appointed Malta coach again

Italian manager Pietro Ghedin has been appointed coach of Malta for a second time.

The Malta Football Association made the announcement on Tuesday, signing him to a 3 1/2-year contract that will last through 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 qualifying.

John Buttigieg was sacked in October for picking up only one point in Malta's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Ghedin has been coaching Italy's women's national team. He previously coached Malta from 1993-95, with a record of 4 wins, 5 draws and 15 losses.

Ghedin's first task will be to prepare the national squad for upcoming friendlies against Luxembourg on June 2 and San Marino on Aug. 14.