A Legendary Appointment
Just one week after Bernardo Rezende announced his resignation as head coach, the French Volleyball Federation confirmed that Italian volleyball legend Andrea Giani would lead the reigning Olympic champions. Giani will guide Les Bleus in their quest for glory at the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics.
Giani’s Coaching Experience
Andrea Giani brings around 15 years of coaching experience to the role, having worked with top clubs in Italy as well as national teams from Slovenia and Germany. His appointment follows Rezende’s resignation due to family reasons, prompting the French Federation to quickly find a respected coach for their historic gold-medal-winning team from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
A Vision for Success
Eric Tanguy, President of the French Volleyball Federation, stated, “Once one of the best players in the world, Giani is now among the top coaches. We considered his profile when searching for Laurent Tillie’s successor. Since starting his coaching career, Giani has worked with some of the greatest players in the world, and we are thrilled that he has accepted this challenge.”
At 51 years old—turning 52 on April 22—Giani is a true icon of the sport. He initially began his athletic career in rowing, his father’s sport, who competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. However, he switched to volleyball at 14, ultimately becoming one of the greatest players in history.
Impressive Achievements
Giani’s resume speaks for itself: since his debut in 1988, he has earned 474 caps with the Italian national team—a record that still stands. Over his illustrious career, he won three Olympic medals (silver in 1996 and 2004, bronze in 2000), three consecutive World Championship titles (1990, 1994, 1998), four European Championships (1993, 1995, 1999, 2003), and seven World League titles.
“His high-level experience and accomplishments are certainly crucial; Andrea understands the importance of preparation for major international tournaments,” added Axelle Guiguet, FFVolley’s National Technical Director. “We’ve set high-performance goals for him: reaching the podium in every major competition, including EuroVolley, the World Championship, and the Olympics.”
Challenges in a New Journey
Giani will make his debut as head coach of the French national team at the end of the club season, specifically in the 2022 Volleyball Nations League, held from May to July. This will be followed by the World Championship later in the summer, where he will aim to build on France’s legacy and guide them to continued international success.
The appointment of Andrea Giani marks a new chapter for the French volleyball team as they prepare for the upcoming Olympics. With extensive experience and a proven track record, Giani is highly anticipated to lead Les Bleus to new heights. Fans and players alike are eager to see how his leadership will shape the future of French volleyball.
