It is a real masterstroke that the French Volleyball Federation is about to achieve.
In search of a successor to Laurent Tillie, who decided to hand over to the French team after the Tokyo Games this summer (July 24 to August 10), the FFVB would be about to engage, according to information from the newspaper L'Équipe that we are able to confirm, the Brazilian Bernardo Rocha de Rezende, known as “Bernardinho”.
A world benchmark in coaching and one of the finest achievements in the discipline.
The ideal profile to succeed Laurent Tillie who, since taking office in 2012, has placed the Blues among the best nations in the world with a title at Euro 2015, two World Leagues (2015 and 2017) and two qualifications for the Olympics rank (2016, 2021).
Until the Paris Games?
Discussions to settle the final details, particularly financial and on the constitution of the staff, are continuing this weekend between the different parties.
But Eric Tanguy, president of the FFVB, could officially announce very quickly, probably from Monday, the signing for one year of Bernardinho with the desire to keep him until the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The Federation launched a call for applications last February for the post.
It would have received about fifteen French and foreign candidates.
Canadian coach Glenn Hoag, who made it possible for Paris to be the first French club to win the Champions League (2001), was reportedly surveyed but rejected the idea due to his commitments with the selection of his country and Turkish club Arkas Spor Izmir.
Also among the final short list, former French international Stéphane Antiga was reportedly penalized by his conflicted relationship with Blues star Earvin Ngapeth.
Bernardo Rocha de Rezende has the perfect profile.
Currently coach of the women's club of Rio de Janeiro, Bernardinho would be seduced by the tricolor project and the idea of going for a new Olympic gold medal.
This would allow him to add one more line to his impressive track record.
As a player, the former passer won an Olympic title in 1984 and a world title in 1982. But that is nothing compared to his managerial CV.
At the head of the Seleção he won everything: 2 titles at the Olympic Games (2002 and 2016), 3 World Championships (2002, 2006 and 2010), 2 World Cups (2002 and 2007) and 8 World Leagues.
Non-French speaking, the 61-year-old Brazilian could come and settle in France.
His compatriot Mauricio Paes, currently coach of Tourcoing after having a fruitful experience in Japan, could be in the future staff.
We should know more very quickly.
