Volleyball: the French federation is looking for its future coach ... on social networks

It is a rare step.

Surprising.

While usually the selectors of the French national teams are chosen after discreet, even secret negotiations, the French Volleyball Federation (FFVB) has decided to act in broad daylight.

To succeed Laurent Tillie, who has already announced that he will end his 9-year mandate at the head of the Blues this summer at the end of the Tokyo Games, the leaders have opted for a call for applications… on social networks.

The FFVB had already proceeded in this way in 2012 for the appointment of Tillie… but at the time the networks were less omnipresent.

And we cannot imagine football or rugby federations embarking on such an approach to appoint their coaches.

“We also acted in this way for the French beach teams and the indoor women's team,” explains Axelle Guiget, National Technical Director (DTN) of the Federation.

This approach allows healthy competition and allows no doors to be closed.

It is not the Federation who decides who to contact but it is up to the technician to assert his desire and defend his project.

"

The @FFvolley is launching today a call for candidates to succeed Laurent Tillie at the head of the French men's volleyball team after the Tokyo Olympics.

More information ➡️ https://t.co/UGSu3gd9qW pic.twitter.com/oe7Mvrs1EY

- FFvolley (@FFvolley) February 2, 2021

If suitors have already come forward, the Federation has waited for the end of the Olympic cycle and the federal elections - with the re-election in December of President Eric Tanguy - to launch this call for candidates.

With the prospect of resuming one of the best selections in the world and playing the Olympic Games in Paris in three years, the list of applicants promises to be long.

The names of Franco-Brazilian Mauricio Paes, French Hubert Henno or Stéphane Antiga are regularly cited for the post.

“Laurent

(Editor's note: Tillie

) has brought the French team to such an international level (

European champion in 2015, winner of the World League in 2015 and 2017

) that our level of requirement will be as high, indicates the DTN .

Players need a coach who is seasoned in terms of experience and results.

Succeeding Laurent will not be easy.

Beyond the technical aspect, he will have to be able to have a listening capacity, to manage a project and people.

The position will be reserved for the best.

"

The name of the new manager announced in May

Candidates will have to come forward quickly because the deadline for submitting applications is February 28.

The call is open to French or foreign technicians, on condition that they learn the language of Molière "as quickly as possible" indicates the press release from the FFVB.

The name of the new coach will be announced in May.

Before the international deadlines of the spring - with the World League - and of the summer - with the Olympic Games.

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“It's important to know your name from the start of the international season, so as not to disturb the players and staff in their preparation for the Olympic deadline,” continues Axelle Guiguet.

In theory, the coach is chosen to take the team to the Paris Games in 2024, but we allow ourselves the possibility of adapting.

The contract will be renewable for one year because it will be necessary to perform quickly if we want to be ambitious for 2024. "